Chiefs schemes: Look out for Mahomes Sunday; this is a game in which he could dominate
It’s a small sample size, but second weeks have been good to Patrick Mahomes.
In 2018, the Chiefs’ superstar quarterback threw six touchdown passes in a 42-37 victory at Pittsburgh. Six in a game is his career best, a total he matched later that season. Last year, Mahomes tossed four touchdown passes — all in the second quarter — for a season-best 436 yards in a 28-10 victory at Oakland.
For the third straight year, the Chiefs will play their Week 2 game on the road Sunday, this time in the Los Angeles Chargers’ first game at SoFi Stadium.
WHEN THE CHIEFS PASS
Mahomes’ longest completion against the Texans went for 19 yards, but his checkdown game was superb and opponents must decide how, or who, to try to stop: surrender small chunks underneath while playing deep, or risk the deep ball to Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman or Sammy Watkins? The Chargers defended the Chiefs well last season. Mahomes didn’t reach 200 passing yards in either game against them. Also, Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward won the AFC’s weekly award for his work against the Bengals last week. Still ...
Edge: Chiefs
WHEN THE CHIEFS RUN
Doesn’t this look different now? Clyde Edwards-Helaire was huge in his debut with 138 rushing yards. Look for him to catch his first NFL pass this weekend.
Edge: Chiefs
WHEN THE CHARGERS PASS
Philip Rivers became the Chargers’ quarterback in 2006 and won 12 of his first 16 starts against the Chiefs. He lost 11 of his last 12. Now it’s Tyrod Taylor’s turn. The veteran was good enough to beat the Bengals with tight end Hunter Henry as his favorite target. Over the years, running back Austin Ekeler’s work out of the backfield has been a thorn in the side of the Chiefs. Will Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward play with a factured hand?
Edge: Chiefs
WHEN THE CHARGERS RUN
With running back Melvin Gordon now playing for Denver, Ekeler got the bulk of the work last weekend and rushed for 84 yards. But also impressive was Joshua Kelley, the rookie from UCLA. He scored the Chargers’ lone touchdown and rushed for 60 yards.
Edge: Chargers