WASHINGTON — With Week 6 just around the corner, David Harrison of Locked On Washington Football Team and Chris Clark of the Locked On Chiefs Podcast come together for a crossover preview of the matchup featuring two 2020 NFL Playoff teams both disappointed with their early starts to the season.
For the Chiefs, it appears opposing teams are catching on and figuring out how to contain their high-powered offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and receiving threats from Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Meanwhile, the Kansas City defense isn't doing a great job at containing opposing offenses enough to prevent potential disasters almost every week.
On the Washington side of things, it's no secret the defense has struggled and has been a particularly disappointing part of this year's WFT squad. What is it that's ailing the defense overall and is 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year regressing in his second season?
Finally, what is it going to take for each team to come out of this weekend with a win?
One playoff team from last season is going to drop to 2-4.
Also, to get a recap of the Sean Taylor jersey retirement drama going on this week, listen to the Locked On Washington Football Team podcast's episode on there here.
TURNOVER TROUBLE
Washington QB Taylor Heinicke was visibly angrier at practice this week after throwing two interceptions in a loss to New Orleans. The fun storyline of Heinicke going from taking college classes online to becoming an NFL starter is over, and he's taking his problems to heart.
“I’m still kind of pissed off about it,” Heinicke said. "I just use that as fuel to get better throughout the week. Some people use different methods, but I kind of hold it with me and use it as fuel. I’ve done that throughout my career.”
With a career at the opposite end of the spectrum, Heinicke is not trying to be Mahomes. When he was out of football and coaching kids, Heinicke often told them: “You’re not Mahomes. That’s something that he can do. We can’t.”
A little Mahomes magic might be on tap for this weekend — if he and the offense can tamp down on the turnovers.
“We’re moving the ball down the field at a high rate,” he said. “We’re executing. We’re not having a lot of three-and-outs. That’s what you want to do as an offense. But once you have turnovers happen, it kind of ruins everything. It takes that great offense we can be and knocks it down to a very average one.”
HELLO, OLD FRIEND
Facing Washington with Ron Rivera at the helm will be the fourth time in six games that Chiefs coach Andy Reid has faced a former assistant. The Chiefs beat Kevin Stefanski's Cleveland Browns in Week 1, a late fumble doomed them in a loss to John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens and they were blown out by Sean McDermott’s Bills last weekend.
“I’m proud of them. I don’t like getting beat by them, but I’m proud of them,” Reid said. “I don’t like losing games, but listen, they’re all good coaches, and Ron is the same. They’re well-coached.”
WHERE ARE THE FANS?
Washington ranks last in the league in attendance, filling up just 62.2% of FedEx Field through three home games. Rivera said it's on the team to fill the stands.
“We got to hold up our bargain to get them to come back,” he said. "The biggest thing is we got to win. That’s on me, that’s on us to get them back and get them behind us.”
SMOKED OUT
There was an unusually high amount of smoke during Washington's pregame festivities last week. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin called it the “worst it's ever been” for him.
“Last game was a challenge,” McLaurin said. “I’m just making sure I don’t run into one of my teammates or one of the cheerleaders who are like right out there.”
Allen called it “ridiculous” and dangerous."
How does he get through it? “Pray to God.”
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