Washington Football Team: 3 matchups that pose problems vs Chiefs
By Jerry Trotta
The Washington Football Team has already gotten one taste of the NFC West, which has emerged as one of the best divisions in the NFL this season, when they lost a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
In the four games since, the Chargers have impressively established themselves as the division favorites.
That includes the Kansas City Chiefs, who have A LOT of questions to answer following their blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills that dropped them to 2-3.
Unfortunately for Washington, they have to lock horns with what is undoubtedly a pissed off Kansas City locker room; one that his itching to remind the rest of the league that they’re still the gold standard.
It goes without saying that the Chiefs’ high-powered offense will present problems for Washington’s helpless secondary, which just allowed Jameis Winston to throw for a season-high 279 yards and four touchdowns.
With that in mind, let’s highlight a couple of matchups that Kansas City might look to exploit this Sunday at FedEx Field.
Washington Football Team: 3 matchups we’re dreading vs Chiefs
3. Patrick Mahomes vs Washington LBs
Anyone else having nightmares thinking about Patrick Mahomes deceiving Washington’s linebacking corps with his eyes? While the Chiefs are as capable as any team in terms of hitting a big play, something tells us Sunday’s matchup could be death by a thousand paper cuts for the Football Team.
Think about it. Who’s going to cover the middle of the field? Travis Kelce (more on him in a minute) should be licking his chips. However, we’re equally concerned about Mahomes picking apart the likes of Cole Holcomb, Jamin Davis (if he plays), or Landon Collins/Kamren Curl if they drop into the box again.
Patrick Mahomes through 5 games:
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) October 11, 2021
2020 -- 63.73%, 1,474 yards, 13 TD, 1 INT, 7.64 YPA, 107.3 rating
2021 -- 69.23%, 1,490 yards, 16 TD, 6 INT, 7.64 YPA, 106.1 rating.
3 of those INT are from tipped passes too.
Different coverages -- Mahomes has still been very good. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/XufQi1DgyR
When Washington’s downfield coverage holds up, Mahomes will eat Washington’s linebackers alive in scrambling situations. What the Chiefs QB lacks in breakaway speed, he more than makes up for in intelligence and deception.
Mahomes managed a season-high 61 rushing yards against Buffalo. While most of that came in garbage time and didn’t amount to anything significant, he could push for 50 meaningful yards on the ground vs Washington.
If that’s the case, the defense will have trouble getting off the field.