KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs appeared to repair lots of their Week 1 issues final week in Jacksonville, when All-Professional defensive deal with Chris Jones returned from his holdout, star tight finish Travis Kelce was again on the sector following a knee damage, and an offense that struggled towards Detroit regarded just a bit bit higher towards the Jaguars.
Positive, they nonetheless had a bunch of penalties. Turnovers remained an issue. The offense was nonetheless making an attempt to hit its stride.
But these points appear to be mere nuisances in comparison with what’s happening in Chicago as of late.
Because the Bears put together to go to the Chiefs on Sunday, they’re with out a defensive coordinator following Alan Williams’ shocking and abrupt resignation and their offense is embroiled in controversy after quarterback Josh Fields blamed teaching for “robotic” play after which tried relatively unsuccessfully to stroll again his feedback.
So how does Bears coach Matt Eberflus steer a rudderless staff going ahead?
“You deal with right here and now,” he stated. “What might we do proper now throughout this time, with the conferences we had this morning, with the enhancements we’re going to make? That’s all you are able to do. Be the place your ft are, specializing in proper now.”
Drawback is their ft will probably be in Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, dealing with the defending Tremendous Bowl champions. The Bears (0-2) are almost two-TD underdogs, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook, as they attempt to snap a 12-game shedding streak courting to final season.
“We’re going by means of a storm proper now,” Subject stated after final week’s loss to Tampa Bay. “It’s irritating not successful. However I believe on the similar time, like I stated, simply take it daily and not likely fear in regards to the previous. The previous is the previous.”
It’s not as if the Chiefs (1-1) are buzzing alongside completely, particularly on offense. They turned the ball over thrice, dedicated 12 turnovers for 94 yards and a gaggle of large receivers that had eight drops of their opener towards Detroit continued to place the ball on the bottom throughout their 17-9 victory over the Jaguars final week.
“The frustration might be extra of me and about myself and the way the offense has been doing,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stated. “All people has been having that mentality that we simply should preserve working and getting higher. The protection has been enjoying so nicely. We need to take the stress off them.”
COORDINATOR CONCERNS
William stated Wednesday he was resigning to care for his well being and his household. Eberflus plans to name defensive performs for the Bears for the second week in a row, however that might take a few of his time away from serving to their struggling offense.
“I spend time with the offense on the sport plan days,” stated Eberflus, who was beforehand the Colts’ defensive coordinator. “I spend breakfast membership with the quarterbacks. I meet with the coaches within the night on the offensive aspect. After which I’m within the interim sport plan additionally on Monday. … Like I stated, it’s 50-50. You’re splitting it 50-50 there, that’s what you do.”
PLAYING THE FIELDS
Fields, whose 70.7 passer score is worst within the NFL, turned heads this week when he indicated coaches are feeding him an excessive amount of data. Fields later stated his assertion was taken out of context and that he solely factors a finger at himself.
“I believe there’s been instances the place I simply attempt to be a perfectionist and nothing on this world is ideal,” stated Fields, who was sacked six instances final week and 10 instances by means of two video games. “So like I stated, cease considering extra and simply go on the market and play.”
TAYLOR’S TROUBLE
The Chiefs gave Jawaan Taylor a four-year, $80 million contract within the offseason to play proper deal with, so it was jarring to see him benched briefly towards Jacksonville. Taylor was penalized 5 instances — two false begins, two holds and an unlawful formation — one week after his questionable alignment and fast get-off towards Detroit had been referred to as into query.
“Been engaged on it this week to scrub it up. Must be mounted,” stated Taylor, whose pass-block charges nonetheless graded out among the many greatest within the league final week. “Finish of the day, I’m not right here to harm my staff. I’ve to be higher.”
INJURY WOES
The Bears put left deal with Braxton Jones on injured reserve with a neck damage, whereas security Eddie Jackson has been coping with a foot damage, large receiver Darnell Mooney with a knee drawback and defensive again Josh Blackwell with a sore hamstring.
The Chiefs are simply as banged up: Nick Bolton has an ankle damage and fellow linebacker Willie Homosexual Jr. a sore quad, operating again Isiah Pacheco is coping with a sore hamstring, and large receivers Kadarius Toney and Richie James missed time this week with a sore toe and balky knee. Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated James’ knee problem might preserve him out some time.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
The Chiefs offense is accustomed to bailing out their middle-of-the-road protection, however their roles have been reversed by means of the primary two weeks of the season. Kansas Metropolis is thirteenth in whole protection, regardless of enjoying two potent offenses within the Lions and Jaguars, and tied for third within the league in scoring protection.
“We’re hungry,” Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie stated, “and I do know off of final yr, and simply off stats and every thing that went on — yeah, we received the Tremendous Bowl, however I do know the protection felt like we might have completed extra.”
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