Game Preview, Week 6: Chiefs at Washington
October 15, 2021
by Steve Thomas
Washington heads into a very tough stretch of games while fighting to save their season from going down the tubes. Unfortunately, next up are the two-time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. While the Chiefs are just 2 – 3 this year, the Redskins Washington is justifiably a home underdog. Washington is going to have to figure out a way to be competitive in this game if they want to keep within shouting distance of the first place Dallas Cowboys. It seems to be an unlikely task, for sure, but as the old saying goes, “. . . on any given Sunday”. Washington does have a shot at a win, for sure, but everything’s going to have to go exactly right for that to happen. The truth is that the Chiefs defense has been getting the same type of criticism as has Washington’s defense, so it’s not totally impossible to think that Washington could pull out what seems at first glance to need a miracle. We’ll discuss it all in this week’s game preview.
Game time & location: Sunday, October 17, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.
Television: CBS
Television announcers: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: The Team 980
Washington radio network: click here
Chiefs radio network: click here
Satellite radio: Sirius XM: 232 (Wash. broad.); internet: 831 (Washington broad.)
Redskins roster: click here
Redskins depth chart: click here
Chiefs roster: click here
Chiefs depth chart: click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Chiefs: 1 – 9 (last 5: 0 – 5; streak: 0 – 7)
Last meeting: L, October 2, 2017, 20 – 29 (last win: September 18, 1983)
Early odds: Chiefs, -6.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Win the turnover battle
The Chiefs have been abysmal in turnovers this year – they are already -7, which is second-worst in the NFL. It will be imperative that Washington steal a few possessions from the Chiefs offense on Sunday. A win is a pretty tall order for Washington if this doesn’t happen. The game may depend on whether Washington can get a couple of interceptions or fumble recoveries early in the game in order to build some confidence and momentum.
Figure out how to slow down Travis Kelce
There’s no good answer here. Washington only had one linebacker on the field for more than have the game last week, Cole Holcomb, and to put it kindly, he’s simply incapable of posting a significant challenge for Kelce, who might be the best or second-best tight end in the game. One way or the other, by hook or by crook, Washington is going to have to come up with a gameplan that keeps Kelce from running free all over the field for the entire game. If they don’t, this game probably won’t go well.
Take advantage of the Chiefs’ poor run defense
One thing the Chiefs do poorly – very poorly – is run defense. Even taking the fact that the Ravens ran wild against Kansas City in week 2 aside, their stats are still bad. The best way for Washington to slow down the Chiefs’ offense is to dominate the time of possession through a strong and effective running attack. Antonio Gibson needs to have a big day, and Washington’s coaching staff needs to do a better job in involving J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson on Sunday.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
William Jackson and Kendall Fuller vs. Tyrek Hill
Given the performance of Washington’s secondary so far this year, it’s entirely possible that Hill tears up the defense in this game. It’s going to be the primarily Jackson’s job, with some assistance from Fuller, to slow down Hill and keep him from dominating the game. This is a tall order, particularly with the miscommunications in the secondary we’ve seen this season, so the pressure is on Jackson to come through. This is a critically important matchup in this game.
This matchup is a little off the beaten path, but Smith is a rookie sixth round draft pick who’s only started 5 games. Payne needs to be able to take advantage of this matchup and put serious pressure on Patrick Mahaomes right up the middle of the offensive line. Washington being able to make Mahomes uncomfortable is a huge key to this game for Washington, and given the offensive line matchups, this might be Washington’s best chance.
Terry McLaurin vs L’Jarius Sneed and Charvarius Ward
McLaurin had a bad game last week, mostly losing his matchup with Marshon Lattimore. That can’t happen for a second week in a row. The Chiefs pass defense has been unsuccessful this season, so McLaurin ought to have ample opportunity to post big stats. It seems unlikely that McLaurin will have back to back negative games, so watch for how much separation McLaurin is getting versus Sneed and Ward.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Chiefs |
| T S. Cosmi, ankle; Wed; DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | LB A. Hitchens, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| RB A. Gibson, shin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | DT J. Reed, NIR (personal); Wed: DNP; Thurs: NL; Fri: NL |
| LB J, Norris, shoulder; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | CB C. Ward, quad; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| WR C. Samuel, groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | TE B. Bell, back; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| G B. Scherff, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR T. Hill, quad; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| WR C. Sims, hamstring; Wed; DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | DE C. Jones, wrist; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| DT J. Allen, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | G J. Thuney, hand; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| WR D. Brown, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q | DB C. Lammons, shin; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| LB C. Holcomb, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | T L. Niang, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| DT J. Smith-Williams, toe; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | |
| TE S. Reyes, back; Wed: NL; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q | |
| WR T. McLaurin, hamstring; Wed: NL; Thurs: NL, Fri: DNP; game: Q |
TEAM STATISTICS
Washington:
Washington’s offense is fairly mediocre by most metrics. They have scored 123 points, which is ranked 12th, and are ranked 20th in total yards, 21st in passing yards, 16th in rushing yards, and 22nd in rushing yards per attempt. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke’s quarterback rating is 90.9, which is ranked 23rd. Washington has been terrible on third downs, converting on just 30.51%, which is ranked 31st in the NFL.
Washington’s defense has already surrendered 155 points, which is second-worst in the NFL. They are ranked 27th in total yards, 27th in passing yards, 18th in rushing yards, and 21st in rushing yards per attempt. Washington has only produced 9 sacks, which is ranked 27th, and have allowed components to convert on third downs on 56.16% of attempts, which is the second-worst in the NFL.
Record: 2 – 3 (3rd) (Home: 1 – 2; AFC: 0 – 1)
All-time franchise record: 612 – 615 – 28
Offense
| Offensive rankings | 12 (points) / 20 (total yards) / 20 (yards per game) / 19 (yards per play) / 21 (passing yards) / 22 (passing yards per att.) / 16 (rushing yards) / 22 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for | 123 |
| Yards per game | 348.2 |
| Passing
|
165 att (26th); 105 comp; 63.6% comp per. (25th); 7.4 Y/A; 1197 net yds; 8 TD; 5 Int |
| Passing leader | Heinicke (159 att (22nd), 1208 yds (23rd), 64.2% comp perc (23rd), 8 TDs / 5 Int, 90.9 QB rating (23rd) |
| Receiving leader | McLaurin (400 yds (11th), 49 tgts (8th), 29 rec (17th), 3 TDs, 13.8 YPC (37th)) |
| Rushing | 135 att (11th); 544 yds; 4.0 Y/A; 108.8 Y/G (16th); 5 TDs (16th) |
| Rushing leader | Gibson (79 att (6th), 313 yds (11th), 3 TDs (19th), 4.0 Y/A (33rd), long 27) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank | 6 / 3 |
| Ave time of possession / rank | 28:28 / 24 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank | 30.51% / 31 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank | 62.50% / 14 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings | 31 (points) / 27 (total yards) / 27 (yards per game surrendered) / 20 (yards per play) / 27 (passing yards) / 19 (passing yards per att.) / 18 (rushing yards) / 21 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against | 155 |
| Yards per game surrendered | 407.8 |
| Opponent’s passing | 195 att (28th); 126 comp; 64.6% comp perc. (10th); 7.2 Y/A; 1467 net yds; 14 TDs; QB Rating 107.8 (25th) |
| Opponent’s rushing | 141 att (22nd); 572 yds; 4.1 Y/A; 4 TDs; 114.4 Y/G (18th) |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader | 9 / 27 / Allen, Sweat (3.0) |
| Tackles leader | Bostic (118) |
| Int / rank / Int leader | 2 / 27 / Jackson, Holcomb (1) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank | 56.16% / 31 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank | 57.14% / 13 |
Special Teams
| Kick returns | 27.2 Y/R (3rd), 14 returns, long 101 yards (2nd), 1 TD |
| Punt returns | 9.5 Y/R (9th), 4 returns, long 14 yards (25th), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense | 22.9 Y/R (24th), 7 returns (13th), 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense | 6.5 Y/R (7th), 11 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punting | 47.7 Y/P (11th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank): 7 / 4 / -3 / 28
Penalties (total accepted # / rank): 33 / 14
Chiefs:
The Chiefs have produced a large number of points and yards. They have scored 154 points, which is ranked 5th, and are ranked 4th in total yards, 5th in passing yards, 7th in rushing yards, and 5th in rushing yards per attempt. The are the best team in the NFL on third downs, converting on 58.82% of attempts, and have surrendered just 7 sacks (ranked 4th). Kansas City has also been outstanding in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 70.0% of red zone visits.
Kansas City’s defense has been as unsuccessful as their offense has been successful. They have surrendered 163 points, which is the most in the NFL, and are ranked 31st in total yards, 29th in passing yards, 29th in rushing yards, and 30th in rushing yards per attempt. They only have 7 sacks this season, which is the fewest in the NFL.
The Chiefs’ most damning statistic is turnovers – they are already -7 in turnover ratio, which is second-worst in the NFL.
Record: 2 – 3 (4th); Away: 1 – 1; NFC: 1 – 0)
All-time franchise record: 497 – 428 – 12
Offense
| Offensive rankings
|
5 (points) / 4 (total yards) / 4 (yards per game) / 5 (yards per play) / 5 (passing yards) / 17 (passing yards per att.) / 7 (rushing yards) / 5 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for | 154 |
| Yards per game | 420.4 |
| Passing | 195 att (7th); 135 comp; 69.2% comp per. (7th); 7.6 Y/A; 1461 net yds; 16 TDs; 6 Int |
| Passing leader | Mahomes (195 att (7th), 1490 yds (7th), 69.2% comp per. (8th), 16 TDs / 6 Int, 106.1 QB rating (9th)) |
| Reception leader | Hill (516 yds (4th), 51 targets (6th), 37 rec (3rd), 4 TDs (15th), 13.9 Y/C (33rd) |
| Rushing | 126 att (20th); 641 yds; 5.1 Y/A; 128.2 Y/G (7th); 3 TDs |
| Rushing leader | Edwards-Helaire (65 att (15th), 304 yds (15th), 0 TDs, 4.7 Y/A (15th), long 17 yds (69th)) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank | 7 / 4 |
| Ave time of possession / rank | 30:31 / 16 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank | 58.82% / 1 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank | 70.0% / 6 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings | 32 (points) / 31 (total yards) / 31 (yards per game surrendered) / 32 (yards per play) / 29 (passing yards) / 30 (passing yards per att.) / 29 (rushing yards) / 30 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against | 163 |
| Yards per game surrendered | 437.4 |
| Opponent’s passing | 166 att (11th); 112 comp; 67.5% comp per. (20th); 9.3 Y/A; 1482 net yds; 10 TDs; QB rating 109.6 (29th) |
| Opponent’s rushing | 136 att (19th); 705 yds; 5.2 Y/A; 9 TDs; 141.0 (29th) |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader | 7 / 32 / Danna (3.0) |
| Tackles leader | Sorensen (34) |
| Int / rank / Int leader | 3 / 22 / Mathieu (2) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank | 44.23% / 24 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank | 77.27% / 28 |
Special Teams
| Kick returns | 23.9 Y/R (8th), 15 returns, long 33 yards (19th), 0 TDs |
| Punt returns | 6.8 Y/R (22nd), 4 returns, long 17 yards (19th), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense | 16.0 Y/R (1st), 7 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense | 6.8 Y/R (9th), 4 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punting | 45.6 Y/P (18th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank): 11 / 4 / -7 / 31
Penalties (total accepted # / rank): 30 / 25
* Statistics courtesy of www.pro-football-reference.com, www.nflpenalties.com, www.nfl.com, www.teamrankings.com, www.espn.com, www.sportingcharts.com