The Kansas City Chiefs once again look like the team to beat heading into their primetime matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 8.
With Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy all healthy and active, the “everybody’s gotta eat” mantra still reigns supreme.
During Kansas City’s 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last week, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed a pass to nine different teammates. Six different players registered at least 35 yards.
With so many receiving weapons at his disposal, Mahomes feels free. “I think I kind of went through, like, variations of (being) too aggressive and maybe not as aggressive enough,” he told reporters. “And then now I think I’m just going out there and just playing. Just having fun… I feel like it’s given me confidence to be who I am.”
While Kansas City looks to secure its third consecutive win on Monday Night Football, the team has announced a special tribute plan before kickoff.
Kansas City Chiefs Players Will Wear Unique Patches On Their Jerseys to Honor U.S. Service Members
During warm-ups at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday, October 27, the Chiefs’ uniforms will include a special patch to honor the nation’s heroes.
The team announced, “For our Salute to Service game tonight, our players will wear patches during pre-game warmups in honor of the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy 🇺🇸.”
This marks the 10th consecutive year the team will don the commemorative patches. Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen noted, “This year’s patches are unique, too, in that they will collectively celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy.
“With that in mind, the players will have the option of wearing one of three patches during pre-game warmups on Monday, each of which will recognize one of those three branches with its respective logo and camouflage pattern… Monday’s matchup features two playoff teams from a year ago facing off, but without the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, the game wouldn’t even be taking place.”
Patrick Mahomes Spoke Glowingly of Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, His Former Head Coach at Texas Tech
GettyTexas Tech Red Raiders head coach Kliff Kingsbury with Patrick Mahomes on November 25, 2016.
Adding further special meaning to Monday night’s matchup, Mahomes will have a very familiar face on the opposing sidelines, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the Chiefs star’s head coach during his tenure at Texas Tech. The two-time league MFP credited Kingsbury for playing a crucial role in his development.
“He’s one of the first people I would say that truly believed in me playing the quarterback position,” Mahomes said. “He helped me get to where I’m at today because he didn’t put me in a box and tell me I need to play quarterback this way.
“Coach Kingsbury never ever forced me to be a pocket passer, or hold the ball a certain way. He just let me be me.” After the Chiefs drafted him as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Mahomes was grateful that head coach Andy Reid and Co. shared a similar mentality.
“When I got here,” the 30-year-old continued, “they wanted to keep refining and refining, but at the same time, they wanted me to go out there and just play the game the way that got me here. And so, I’ve been blessed.
“You can go into some situations, and I’ve seen quarterbacks in other situations, that their game gets kind of boxed in, and they don’t get to be the best version of themselves.”
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