Chiefs: Game day

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The 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs look to stay perfect on the season as they host the Washington Redskins. Here is everything you need to know for the game.

by Ben Almquist

If you thought the Kansas City Chiefs would be coming into Week 4 undefeated?well, I?d like to think that?s because you were buying what I?ve been saying all offseason. The Chiefs look very good early on this year, and it has been on both sides of the ball. They will now play host to a good looking Redskins team on Monday Night Football.



Kansas City has caught the eye of the NFL world with their early season performance. It hasn?t always been pretty for the Chiefs so far this year, but they have managed to put away each of their opponents. They have some confidence and momentum working in their favor right now, but they need to keep that going.
However, the Redskins will be coming in with some momentum and confidence of their own. Fresh off a big win over the Raiders last Sunday night, Washington looked very impressive. They now sit in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East at 2-1.


The prevailing story line for the Kansas City Chiefs right now has to be the injury bug. Kansas City has seen their roster take some major hits early on this year. The biggest name on the injured list is Eric Berry of course. However, the Chiefs are also down three offensive linemen, their kicker, and emerging pass rusher Dee Ford.
Injuries are a part of the game, but that doesn?t mean they are something to be overlooked. The Chiefs coaching staff is having to make a lot of adjustments, especially considering this will be just the fourth game of the season. Hopefully the injuries haven?t become too much to overcome.
That?s just one story line to keep in mind this week though.

Here are three more to keep an eye on for Monday Night Football?


With a full game lead on the rest of the division, the Kansas City Chiefs need to give themselves some breathing room in the division. Getting out to a solid early season lead is huge. For the Chiefs to do that, here are three things we need to watch for:
Can the Chiefs offensive line hold up? With Parker Ehinger and Mitch Morse still out, the Chiefs will now also be without starting left tackle Eric Fisher. Kansas City is pretty much calling on all of their offensive line reserves at this point. That is not a good position to be in. Hopefully we can see this unit step up. Otherwise it will be a long day for Alex Smith.


Will the offense be able to keep rolling? The question marks on the offensive line plays into a bigger question. The Chiefs offense has been very effective so far this year. They need to keep that going against a tough Redskins defense. KC needs to take some pressure off the defense, and it won?t be easy.
Can the defense tighten things up? The ?bend but don?t break? defense is back in Kansas City. While the Chiefs have largely kept their opponents from scoring, they?ve given up a lot of yards. We have seen in the past that this style of defense eventually wears the players down. Bob Sutton?s unit needs to play better.

 

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Redskins Need Monday Win to Keep Pace in NFC East



This matchup has been heavily anticipated, and for multiple reasons. This prime time game will boast the two most electric playmakers in the entire NFL in Kareem Hunt and Chris Thompson. It also features a premier quarterback battle, as Kirk Cousins and Alex Smith played each other in the Pro Bowl last year.

However, that?s easier said than done against the Chiefs, who are believed by many to be the most complete team in the NFL. That?s evident with a glance at their record, as they are the only remaining undefeated team after three and a half weeks (Atlanta lost to Buffalo on Sunday, moving to 3-1). Nevertheless, undefeated teams don?t seem to scare the Redskins. They beat the 1-0 Rams in Week 2, and crushed the 2-0, high-flying Raiders in Week 3. All the evidence points to a good fight that the Redskins have a decent chance of winning.


Redskins offense vs. Chiefs defense

The Redskins offense was really clicking against the Raiders in Week 3. Kirk Cousins was able to get into a rhythm early on and the whole Redskins unit thrived as a result. He spread the ball around to all his receivers, with Vernon Davis, Chris Thompson, and Jamison Crowder being the top targets. However, that production came against the weak Oakland defense. The Chiefs defense will provide more of a test.
The Chiefs have one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Marcus Peters. The third year pro is one of the best ball hawks in the league, but is also able to blanket the top receiver on any squad. Peters will be able to take Terrelle Pryor out of the game, which is been the case for most of the Redskins games early this season.
This means that Washington is going to have to rely on Crowder and the tight ends once again. Crowder will work as the slot receiver and will likely matchup with Terrance Mitchell and Phillip Gaines. Both are beatable, but Crowder needs to make sure he can get open early and often to instill confidence in the offense.

Elsewhere, Jordan Reed and Davis will have a good chance to put up big games. Reed, who missed the contest against the Raiders, will likely be back for the Monday night matchup, and he will have a chance to have a big game. The Chiefs are without Eric Berry, so the middle of their defense is a bit weaker. That will give Reed a chance to do well and Davis will follow suit when he?s on the field.
The one area where the Chiefs will have an advantage in is the passing game. Dee Ford and Justin Houston are a fearsome pass rushing duo, and the Redskins line will be tested against them.
Finally, the running game could be a problem for the Redskins. Rob Kelley seems like he?ll have a chance to play, but he may have trouble getting going against the stout Chiefs front. Chris Jones and Bennie Logan are great run stuffers so they may bottle him up. Thompson may have a better chance to have success as he had during the beginning of season.




On defense, Greg Manusky and Co. will look to lock down the Chiefs? weapons, while the Chiefs themselves will be tasked with holding back a Redskins offense that is on the rise. It?s the second and final game in Washington?s early season AFC West tour, and with a performance like last week?s, they can complete the sweep.