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On Monday, Kansas City will again try to regroup against the New
York Giants (2-5) at Kansas City, Mo.
"When you have some big-play opportunities down the field,
you've got to go for it," Mahomes said, noting that back-end
coverage has prompted him to mistakenly "eliminate something
before even seeing it."
Kansas City's defensive shortcomings have led to Mahomes
pressing sometimes to make plays. The Chiefs rank last in the
NFL in yards allowed per play (6.6) and find it difficult to get
off the field.
They blanked opponents in the second half of their last two
games, rallying past Washington before falling 27-3 in a
mismatch last week at Tennessee.
Rookie Nick Bolton recorded 15 tackles in the loss to the Titans
and is emerging as a run-stopper, though veterans Frank Clark,
Chris Jones and Tyrann Mathieu have rarely flexed their
playmaking capability.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid insists the locker room is strong and
capable of correcting fundamental flaws. Yet time is fading fast
if Kansas City is to position itself as the AFC contender most
predicted.
"We just need to do it. I've done a lot of talking," Reid said.
"We just need the results. There's not a lot I can say that
hasn't been said. ... We've been giving away some things free
and we've got to take care of that."
As an example, the Chiefs have already committed 17 turnovers, a
mark that ranks last in the NFL and exceeds their total (16) in
2020. Their minus-10 turnover differential is tied for last in
the league.
Mahomes, who took a crunching hit to the head in the fourth
quarter of the Titans defeat but passed concussion protocol, has
been especially careless, throwing a league-high nine
interceptions against 18 touchdowns. He still ranks fourth in
passing yards (2,093) and sixth in quarterback rating.
Uncustomary drops, inexplicable fumbles and blown protection
have contributed to Mahomes' problems, though he is quick to
accept blame and even owned up to his mistakes while meeting
this week with teammates.
"To see our main leader take responsibility and not point the
finger, it sets a precedent for us," said Alex Okafor.
It could be that a blueprint for defending the Chiefs' explosive
offense has been established, though Giants coach Joe Judge
called that a "foolish narrative" to accept.
"How did the league catch up to ‘em," Judge asked. "Is everyone
as fast at Tyreek Hill, (Mecole) Hardman? Can everybody cover
the ball as deep as (Mahomes) can throw that thing? This is a
damn good team. They're very explosive, very dangerous."
The Giants enter Monday's game off a 25-3 victory over the
Carolina Panthers in Week 7, their best defensive performance of
the season. New York held Carolina to 173 total yards (2.8 per
play) and recorded six sacks, including 2.5 by rookie Azeez
Ojulari.
On offense, improvement in the red zone will be necessary if the
Giants want to establish control. Their 45% conversion rate for
touchdowns ranks dead last in the league. Getting some offensive
playmakers back off injury would be extremely beneficial in
testing the Chiefs' shaky defense.
The Giants' Saquon Barkley (ankle), Kenny Golladay (knee),
Kadarius Toney (ankle) and Lorenzo Carter (ankle) are
questionable after working out on the side at the beginning of
preparations for the Chiefs game. Sterling Shepard (hamstring),
a late scratch last week against Carolina, could return.
--Field Level Media
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