On Sunday afternoon, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs collected a 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, pushing their 2024 file to 7-0 and tying a franchise file with their thirteenth consecutive victory.
Followers had been particularly to see newly-acquired broad receiver DeAndre Hopkins see some motion — they usually weren’t upset. Head coach Andy Reid was happy.
“I assumed it was good,” he instructed reporters after the sport. “He wished to be in there, which is a constructive — and I perceive. So he’ll get extra probabilities the subsequent recreation.”
Hopkins had a key catch within the recreation’s opening drive. Focused 3 times, he caught a pair of passes for 29 yards — and performed an essential position in serving to tight finish Travis Kelce gather 10 catches for 90 yards and a landing.
“I assumed he did an ideal job,” stated quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “[On] third down, he had the massive catch early within the recreation — after which he had a few different massive performs. I missed him on that one nook route early [in the game], however [he] nonetheless received open.
“Then as I seemed again on the pill [on the sideline], there have been a few occasions the place in man protection, he was simply actually working and profitable. Even the landing to Trav, when you look again on his aspect, he’s open for a landing there.
“I imply, clearly, I do know the kind of participant he’s — however whenever you see that on the sector, it exhibits that in the event that they’re going to play man protection in opposition to him, he’s going to get open. I’ve to provide him the possibilities to go on the market and make performs.”
However it wasn’t simply the passing recreation that was working. Whereas Kareem Hunt collected simply 59 yards on 21 makes an attempt, it was apparent that Kansas Metropolis might depend on him to maintain the protection trustworthy. And, after all, Mahomes scrambled in key moments, too. In a 19-play drive that stretched into the third quarter, the quarterback transformed two third downs together with his legs — considered one of them a third-and-12.
“I feel guys simply did their job,” stated Mahomes. “I don’t assume it was one [thing] or one other. I imply, we ran it typically; I ran it typically. We threw the ball after we wanted to throw the ball. That [Las Vegas] protection has quite a lot of completely different coverages. Guys had been in a position to acknowledge the coverages and execute at a excessive stage. I assumed we performed a reasonably good soccer recreation offensively.”
Then there was the Kansas Metropolis protection, which allowed a gap drive landing. However from then till fourth-quarter rubbish time, the unit allowed simply two Las Vegas subject targets. Then, when a deflected cross was intercepted within the third quarter — giving the Raiders the ball on the Kansas Metropolis 3-yard line — the Chiefs’ protection shut them down chilly. Las Vegas gave up the ball on downs.
Reid referred to as the sequence “unbelievable.”
“Offensively, we put the protection in a foul place,” he stated. “However we held up as a protection. We got here out and put our foot down and did a pleasant job there. That was essential.”
Mahomes was amazed by the defensive cease.
“In a foul scenario, that complete complete unit stepped up when their quantity was referred to as to make a big-time cease,” he marveled. “That’s what it takes from nice soccer groups. It takes greatness from all people; it may’t be one man. That’s what’s made us so nice for thus lengthy. All through my profession, it’s not all about me. It’s not all about Trav. It’s about this whole staff. That’s what makes it so particular.”
And now, that staff is 7-0.
