Titans vs. Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes unlikely to be hesitant to run
We asked Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict five questions about the Kansas City Chiefs before the Week 10 game against the Tennessee Titans.
We recently spoke with Matt Conner of Arrowhead Addict to get his take on the Kansas City Chiefs, and he answered five questions about the team he covers ahead of the Week 10 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
One of the questions surrounding quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is making his return to the field after sitting out the last two games with a knee injury, is will the young star be a bit less aggressive and more hesitant to run with the football in Week 10?
We already know how dangerous Mahomes is through the air, but his ability to take off with the football at a moments notice makes things even more difficult for opposing defenses.
Conner answered that question and more for us. Take a look at what he had to say.
Do you think Patrick Mahomes will be more hesitant to run with the football if the opportunity presents itself in order to avoid re-injury?
Arrowhead Addict: I’m torn between expecting an overly excited Mahomes who is anxious to prove he’s ready to roll or the more cautious scenario you’ve set up. I would lean toward the former just because Mahomes has had happy feet before, going back to last year as a first-year starter. The scariest thing won’t be a tackle on a QB run but rather what happens at the bottom of a pile.
Who is the lead dog at the running back position for the Chiefs right now? Or is this more of a committee situation?
AA: Yes, it will be a committee moving forward for a while. LeSean McCoy fumbled at the end of the Packers game in Week 8 which brought Damien Williams to the forefront. I’d expect equal carries for both along with a handful for Darrel Williams, a second-year back out of LSU who is averaging more yards/touch than any of them.
What’s the best way to slow down Patrick Mahomes?
AA: That’s the question the NFL has been asking itself since his arrival. For the most part, beating Mahomes comes down to hoping he beats himself in part. Nervous moments or moments in which he’s tried to do too much have caused the Chiefs to play from behind at times. Those moments have come in tandem with a defense that allowed the opponent to jump out to early leads that, at times, proved insurmountable. Basically, the Titans need to find their offensive footing early, play a very physical game defensively that challenges receivers at all times, and hope for a bit of luck.
What’s the best way to attack the Chiefs’ defense?
AA: Run defense has been the Achilles heel all season long, although the results have been much better in recent weeks. Still the struggles were real and Derrick Henry should be featured early and often. Control the clock. Tire/frustrate the defense. Take your shots when you get them.
Who has been the biggest surprise/disappointment for KC this season?
AA: The defense is really turning a corner which is a welcome sign for Chiefs fans who have watched a frustrating unit the last two years. If Frank Clark can return and provide even more disruption up front, this unit could become something very special.