Chiefs News: Spags pulled aside defense after opening drive in Miami

The Kansas City Chiefs were lightning fast on the opening drive against the Miami Dolphins, scoring a touchdown in just over two minutes of game time.

Miami wasn’t so quick; the Dolphins’ first drive was frustratingly long, lasting 17 plays and nearly 9.5 minutes. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had to have a “heart check” with his players after allowing 101 net yards in one possession.

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“Spags pulled us aside as a defense,” defensive end George Karlaftis said after the game. “(He) said we’ve got to tighten up on our details to a man and just finish and play to the best of our abilities and execute our responsibilities and our assignment on each play.”

Based on several players’ accounts, it seemed the defensive coordinator could see the Chiefs letting a single bad play affect the next one, and he wanted to stop that trend in its tracks.

“It’s all about the next play,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “And the first quarter was very up and down on our end as a defense, and he kind of pulled us together and let us know, don’t let a good play or a bad play affect the next play.”

“Spags pulled us aside as a defense,” defensive end George Karlaftis said after the game. “(He) said we’ve got to tighten up on our details to a man and just finish and play to the best of our abilities and execute our responsibilities and our assignment on each play.”

Based on several players’ accounts, it seemed the defensive coordinator could see the Chiefs letting a single bad play affect the next one, and he wanted to stop that trend in its tracks.

“It’s all about the next play,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “And the first quarter was very up and down on our end as a defense, and he kind of pulled us together and let us know, don’t let a good play or a bad play affect the next play.”

The Chiefs still have plenty to work on if they want to again be among the AFC’s elite. The top worry has to be left tackle, as undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has filled in admirably for injured Josh Simmons through three weeks, but he was beaten often in the second half as Miami edge rushers frequently went right around him for quick pressure on Mahomes.

“There’s a lot of things I can clean up, but I’m gonna make sure I clean it up in the film room,” Benson told The Athletic after the game. “As a rookie, I’m going to keep listening to my vets, listening to my coaches and make sure I clean up the right things that I need to clean up so we can go back and play better next week.”

The Chiefs still have plenty to work on if they want to again be among the AFC’s elite. The top worry has to be left tackle, as undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has filled in admirably for injured Josh Simmons through three weeks, but he was beaten often in the second half as Miami edge rushers frequently went right around him for quick pressure on Mahomes.

“There’s a lot of things I can clean up, but I’m gonna make sure I clean it up in the film room,” Benson told The Athletic after the game. “As a rookie, I’m going to keep listening to my vets, listening to my coaches and make sure I clean up the right things that I need to clean up so we can go back and play better next week.”

The win against the Dolphins was Mahomes’ 150th NFL start including the regular season and the postseason. In those 150 games, the Chiefs have tasted victory 115 times.

That is the exact number that Brady achieved in his first 150 starts, too. In tying the GOAT, Mahomes has made NFL history himself.

The win against the Dolphins was Mahomes’ 150th NFL start including the regular season and the postseason. In those 150 games, the Chiefs have tasted victory 115 times.

That is the exact number that Brady achieved in his first 150 starts, too. In tying the GOAT, Mahomes has made NFL history himself.

“That team bonding, you’ll never forget that,” Mahomes said.

Those moments flooded back to Mahomes when he returned to the Turnberry ahead of Sunday’s 24-10 win against the Miami Dolphins.

“Same hotel room, same room number — everything,” Mahomes said. “It was cool. I didn’t even feel the nostalgia until I got there and you see the room. I was taking pictures and sending it (the photo) to teammates.”

“That team bonding, you’ll never forget that,” Mahomes said.

Those moments flooded back to Mahomes when he returned to the Turnberry ahead of Sunday’s 24-10 win against the Miami Dolphins.

“Same hotel room, same room number — everything,” Mahomes said. “It was cool. I didn’t even feel the nostalgia until I got there and you see the room. I was taking pictures and sending it (the photo) to teammates.”

Mahomes spread it around

Rice was Mahomes’ favorite target, but he wasn’t the only player involved. Eight Chiefs caught at least one pass in Miami, with five players finishing with multiple receptions. Rice led the way with seven catches for 88 yards, while Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Tyquan Thornton and Xavier Worthy each had at least 20 receiving yards. Mahomes finished 20-of-24 for 246 yards and found two different players for touchdowns.

Rice was Mahomes’ favorite target, but he wasn’t the only player involved. Eight Chiefs caught at least one pass in Miami, with five players finishing with multiple receptions. Rice led the way with seven catches for 88 yards, while Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Tyquan Thornton and Xavier Worthy each had at least 20 receiving yards. Mahomes finished 20-of-24 for 246 yards and found two different players for touchdowns.

How did Bowers’ return from injury impact the offense?

It gave Cousins his top target back. Bowers paced the Raiders‘ passing attack from all over the field, catching balls after lining up in the slot and on the outside. The tight end was a major boost in critical situations, converting five third downs. His last was his biggest: a 4-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winning score.

Bowers’ presence didn’t remedy all of the Raiders’ offensive issues. Running back Ashton Jeanty had another quiet game after his Week 1 explosion, running for just 56 yards on 2.9 yards per carry. And while the receivers stepped up last week, they didn’t do much until late in New Orleans.

How did Bowers’ return from injury impact the offense?

It gave Cousins his top target back. Bowers paced the Raiders‘ passing attack from all over the field, catching balls after lining up in the slot and on the outside. The tight end was a major boost in critical situations, converting five third downs. His last was his biggest: a 4-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winning score.

Bowers’ presence didn’t remedy all of the Raiders’ offensive issues. Running back Ashton Jeanty had another quiet game after his Week 1 explosion, running for just 56 yards on 2.9 yards per carry. And while the receivers stepped up last week, they didn’t do much until late in New Orleans.

After the game, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said the team is still gathering information on its star running back’s injury but admitted that things did not look promising.

“To be very honest with you, it does not sound very optimistic at this moment,” Hafley said. “But I can’t give you any other details until I have them.”

With running back Jaylen Wright inactive Sunday with a stinger, the Dolphins activated only two running backs this week — Achane and second-year back Ollie Gordon II, who punched in his first touchdown of the season following Achane’s injury.

After the game, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said the team is still gathering information on its star running back’s injury but admitted that things did not look promising.

“To be very honest with you, it does not sound very optimistic at this moment,” Hafley said. “But I can’t give you any other details until I have them.”

With running back Jaylen Wright inactive Sunday with a stinger, the Dolphins activated only two running backs this week — Achane and second-year back Ollie Gordon II, who punched in his first touchdown of the season following Achane’s injury.

No sequence exemplified the back-and-forth nature of this game quite like the one that unfolded late in the fourth quarter. Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga intercepted Matthew Stafford and returned the ball 67 yards for a pick six to give Denver its first lead of the game. Unrattled, Stafford responded on the ensuing possession with a massive 48-yard touchdown strike to Konata Mumpfield in yet another example of a Rams depth piece stepping up in the absence of an injured star. And another Broncos response ended with a Nix sneak into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

No sequence exemplified the back-and-forth nature of this game quite like the one that unfolded late in the fourth quarter. Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga intercepted Matthew Stafford and returned the ball 67 yards for a pick six to give Denver its first lead of the game. Unrattled, Stafford responded on the ensuing possession with a massive 48-yard touchdown strike to Konata Mumpfield in yet another example of a Rams depth piece stepping up in the absence of an injured star. And another Broncos response ended with a Nix sneak into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

“We’re young, we’re a young football team,” Mahomes reminded the media. “So guys have to learn that. There will be learning experiences throughout the season; luckily enough for us, we still won the football game.

“You have to continue to press that this is a long season,” Mahomes continued. “Just because we had the first two weeks, good weeks against two really good opponents doesn’t mean you can relax when you’re playing a 12 o’clock game. A lot of these guys, [it was] their first 12 o’clock game, first time traveling and having that experience in the NFL, so for them, learn how to get themselves ready to go faster we can go out there and play better football.”

“We’re young, we’re a young football team,” Mahomes reminded the media. “So guys have to learn that. There will be learning experiences throughout the season; luckily enough for us, we still won the football game.

“You have to continue to press that this is a long season,” Mahomes continued. “Just because we had the first two weeks, good weeks against two really good opponents doesn’t mean you can relax when you’re playing a 12 o’clock game. A lot of these guys, [it was] their first 12 o’clock game, first time traveling and having that experience in the NFL, so for them, learn how to get themselves ready to go faster we can go out there and play better football.”