Five things to watch as the Chiefs play the Chargers - Arrowhead Pride

bolaboladulu.blogspot.com

The regular-season finale between the Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) and the Los Angeles Chargers (6-9) should be a low-stress, fun watch for Chiefs fans.

For the third time in head coach Andy Reid’s tenure in Kansas City, he has decided to rest his starting quarterback for a Week 17 game. Quarterback Chad Henne will replace starter Patrick Mahomes.

While Mahomes could still be active, starters like wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, right tackle Mike Remmers and linebacker Ben Niemann have already been announced as out for the game with minor injuries that could use the extra rest.

We’ll see more of seldom-used players — and the first of others. We’ll learn a lot about the future of the Chiefs on Sunday, and I have five things to watch in that regard:

1. Opportunity for backup wide receivers

Rich Sugg/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

The absence of Hill and Watkins for Sunday means wide receivers Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle will see increased usage.

While Hardman’s usual role consists of plays specifically designed for him, he should get the chance to be the starting Z-receiver for the game. His challenge will be showing that he can create separation as a route-runner and make plays for himself — instead of just taking advantage of great play designs. After this season, he is under club control for another two years; games like this will factor into whether he’s part of the long-term plan.

Robinson will be facing free agency this offseason. Whether it’s a contract from Kansas City or elsewhere, a big performance in this game would help him get a worthwhile deal. In Week 17 of 2017, former Chiefs receiver Albert Wilson had a career day catching passes from a rookie Mahomes — and that earned him a lucrative, three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Robinson can hope for a similar result.

Since Pringle’s return from his ankle injury (two games), he hasn’t seen a target. There’s reason for the Chiefs to get him the ball on Sunday: As a restricted free agent this offseason, Pringle can test free agency— but the Chiefs have the right to refuse the signing and match the offer — or be compensated through the draft if he is signed away.

“Pringle is a trustworthy individual,” noted offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy this week. “He works his tail off each and every day. We knew Pringle had a chance his first year and unfortunately, he got hurt, but he bounced back, he came back from the injury, and he’s just showing himself. Every time he has an opportunity, he’s one of those guys that I was just talking about, every time he has an opportunity, he shows you why he has value. He’s always interviewing for a job, he’s always working his tail off, and he does not take anything for granted.”

If Kansas City wants to know what they have in Pringle as a wide receiver, they’ll use this game to see how much he produces with an increased workload. The only game Pringle has seen more than four targets in his career was Week 5 of 2019; he converted eight targets into six receptions, 103 yards and a score.

All three could affect the future of their careers with how they perform Sunday.

2. An extended look at Willie Gay Jr.

Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Out of necessity, rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. played the largest percentage of defensive snaps of his career in last week’s game. According to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, he might see the field even more on Sunday.

Gay plays noticeably fast and downhill, which is the baseline for a good linebacker. However, Spagnuolo admits that Gay is still on a learning curve and may not be as mentally sharp as would be required for an every-down player.

The only way to catch up is to get experience. The Chiefs may not be playing starters, but the Chargers are. Quarterback Justin Herbert — along with a weapon like running back Austin Ekeler — should give Gay a proper challenge for a full game. We will see how he responds.

It may be the last time we see an extended period of Gay on defense this season. An impressive performance could tempt the Chiefs to trust Gay over the less athletic, currently-hampered Ben Niemann in the postseason.

3. The return of Martinas Rankin

Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images

With Remmers out, there are multiple ways the Chiefs could handle his absence. One way would be getting third-year lineman Martinas Rankin back into the lineup.

Rankin is getting close to full recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 10 of last season. Before he went down, he had started five consecutive games at left guard — although he has some NFL experience at both tackle spots as well. He believed he was on the cusp of being a legitimate piece of the championship team.

“I definitely feel like I was progressing to really help this team do some big things,” Rankin told reporters on Friday. “That was probably one of the things that hurt me the most. The fact that I was just kind of really starting to figure out that I can really be a dominant player in this league and really contribute to a Super Bowl champion team.”

Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck sounded excited for Rankin to take the field again.

“I love Rank, we got a chance to see him some last year as a player,” Heck recalled to reporters on Thursday. “We’re very excited about him as a player. He’s been working his tail off... It’s good to have Rank out there working this week, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

4. Players making a first impression

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

There could be some new faces for Chiefs fans to watch playing on Sunday.

Former New York Giants’ first-round pick and current Chiefs cornerback Deandre Baker needs to be activated from the practice squad for a third time this season to play on Sunday — and to be under team control for 2021. He has taken special teams snaps but has yet to debut on defense. The third elevation to the active roster used on him would mean the team has to keep him on the 53-man roster for the remainder of the season, or he’ll be subject to waivers.

If the Chiefs want to give veteran edge rushers like Alex Okafor and Frank Clark rest, they could call upon second-year edge defender Tim Ward to make his Chiefs debut. Ward apparently intrigues Spagnuolo — considering he’s been stashed on the practice squad since 2019. He was activated in early November but has yet to take a snap.

In my opinion, both should be given an extended period of playing time so the team can see what they have. If not this game, then when?

5. Players needing to prove themselves

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

While there may be some new faces, Sunday will also give second chances to once-promising, younger players that have fallen out of favor due to performance or injury.

Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders may be both. He dislocated his elbow in the season opener annd returned in Week 7 to play 19% of the defensive snaps. Since then, he has been a healthy inactive for every game — a concerning sign for the third-round pick from just a season ago. It’s also noteworthy that undrafted rookie defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton has shown more promise this year than Saunders has in his career.

After getting sprinkled in the running back rotation earlier this season, running back Darwin Thompson has been completely shut out of the offense’s plan since Week 8. If he wants to continue his career in Kansas City, he needs to give the coaching staff a reason in this game.

Any of the backup tight ends could stand to make a good impression with more snaps. None of Nick Keizer, Deon Yelder and Ricky Seals-Jones are guaranteed to be on the roster in 2021, but showing promise while Travis Kelce takes it easy — presumably — could make a difference.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"five" - Google News
January 02, 2021 at 10:31PM
https://ift.tt/38WEAx5

Five things to watch as the Chiefs play the Chargers - Arrowhead Pride
"five" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YnPDf8
https://ift.tt/2SxXq6o