Seven things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent: Los Angeles Rams
Are you ready for some football?
The Chiefs’ next game is on “Monday Night Football,” and it’s a big one. KC will face the Rams, who have a 9-1 record and feature a high-flying offense. The Chiefs have the same record and also score in bunches.
In fact, the over/under for the game already is the biggest in NFL history.
The Chiefs’ game against the Rams on Nov. 19 will kick off at 7:15 p.m. and it will be broadcast on ESPN. And in case you forgot, it will be played in Mexico City.
There are so many story lines going into this game that I’m expanding the usual five things to know about the Chiefs’ next opponent
Here are seven things to know about the Rams, who held on to beat the Seahawks 36-31 on Sunday:
1. A powerful offense
Everyone can agree that there should be a lot of scoring next Monday night.
The Rams are second in the NFL in rushing (144.8 yards per game), second in yards per game (448.0) and third in scoring (33.5 points per game).
The Chiefs rank third in total yards (423.1) and second in scoring (35.3)
And both teams have big-play capability. Entering Sunday’s games, no other NFL team had more “explosive plays” than the Chiefs and Rams, according to ESPN.
2. Rams’ MVP candidate
Much has been written and said about Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ chances of being the NFL’s Most Valuable Player this season.
At this point, Mahomes’ main competition appears to be Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Gurley leads the NFL in rushing (988 yards), rushing attempts (198), rushing yards per game (98.8) and yards from scrimmage (1,390).
He has scored a touchdown in 13 straight games, including this one on Sunday against the Seahawks:
Heading into the weekend, Gurley was one of the top running backs in the NFL in yards after contact:
3. A certain former Chief
One reason Chiefs fans circled this game on the schedule this summer was because of Rams cornerback Marcus Peters.
The Chiefs dealt Peters to Los Angeles after last season in a trade that shocked many in Kansas City, because he was widely seen as one of the team’s best defensive players.
Peters’ success, however, has no carried over to Southern California.
Heading into the weekend, Peters ranked 108th among 117 corners who had played at least 20 percent of their snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He was scorched by the Saints in a 45-35 loss at New Orleans on Nov. 4.
After that game, Saints coach Sean Payton said the plan was to put Michael Thomas on Peters, because he liked that matchup.
That didn’t sit well with Peters, who told reporters last week: “Tell Sean Payton to keep talking that (expletive). We’re going to see him soon. You feel me? Yeah, because I like what he was saying on the sidelines, too.
“Tell him, ‘Keep talking that (expletive). And I hope to see you soon.’ You hear me? And then we’ll have a nice little bowl of gumbo together.”
4. Star-studded defense
While the Rams aren’t among the top 10 in points allowed (12th, 23.1) or yards allowed per game (13th, 355.2 ypg), they have some of the biggest playmakers in the NFL on the defensive line.
Defensive end Aaron Donald is a three-time All-Pro and has an NFL best 12.5 sacks.
This is what he can do:
Donald wasn’t on his best behavior against the Seahawks. He seemed to try to start a fight with Seattle’s Justin Britt after Sunday’s game.
The Rams also have former Nebraska star Ndamukong Suh, who is a presence in the middle of the line. Also, the Rams traded for Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler last month.
Fowler on Sunday had the pivotal play in the Rams’ win over the Seahawks by showing he can get to the quarterback:
5. Jared Goff can sling it
Going back to the offensive side of the ball, Rams quarterback Jared Goff also has been mentioned by some in NFL MVP talk.
Goff has thrown for 3,134 yards, second in the NFL to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (3,150). Goff has thrown 22 touchdown passes with six interceptions.
No quarterback in the NFL has more pass plays of 20 yards or more than Goff, who has already collected 50 this season.
6. Key injury
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is not expected to play after a non-contact injury during Sunday’s win over Seattle.
Kupp, who has 40 catches for 566 yards and six touchdowns, was one of Goff’s favorite targets.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Monday morning that Kupp likely has an ACL injury.
7. Special teams
According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams have the second-best special-teams unit behind the Chiefs (heading into Week 9 games). It had JoJo Natson as the sixth-highest-graded return man this season.
Kicker Greg Zuerlein, who played at Missouri Western, has made 14 of 16 field-goal attempts with a long of 56 yards. He’s also perfect on 14 point-after attempts.
However, punter Johnny Hekker ranks 31st in the NFL, averaging 42.8 yards per punt.
This story was originally published November 12, 2018 at 9:18 AM.