6 Chiefs stats to know for Week 3 | KCSN Daily 9.19
Plus news on Willie Gay Jr.'s suspension and more on the Chiefs ahead of Week 3.
Welcome back to another week of KCSN Daily, where we deliver the best Kansas City Chiefs content directly to your inbox.
The Chiefs got some tough news to start the week with the NFL announcing a four-game suspension for third-year LB Willie Gay Jr. for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. Gay Jr. was arrested in Overland Park last January and charged with misdemeanor property damage. He plead not guilty to the charge in July, but eventually agreed to a 12-month diversion program in order to avoid a trial.
Gay Jr. will miss games against the Colts, Bucs, Raiders and Bills. He will be eligible to return for the team’s Week 7 game against the 49ers. The Chiefs will certainly miss his coverage ability, but they have a stable of linebackers who will help make up for the loss including Leo Chenal, Darius Harris, Elijah Lee and Jack Cochrane.
Moving on to the Chiefs’ Week 3 game against the Colts, we’re looking at some key stats to know presented by DraftKings Sportsbook.
The wait is over! DraftKings Sportsbook – America’s Top-Rated Sportsbook app – is officially LIVE in Kansas just ime for football season! Click here to sign for DraftKings Sportsbook today using code KCSN or download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use promo code KCSN to get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in FREE bets INSTANTLY when you place a five-dollar bet on ANYTHING! Only at DraftKings Sportsbook – America’s Top-Rated Sportsbook. Gambling problem? Getting help is your best bet. Call 800-522-4700. 21+. Physically present in KS. Eligibility restrictions apply. Bonus issued as free bets. Deposit and wagering restrictions apply. Eligibility and terms at draftkings dot com slash kansas. On behalf of Boot Hill Resort and Casino.
6 stats to know for Chiefs in Week 3:
1. Series history: The Colts lead the all-time series against the Chiefs 17-10. They also lead the series since Andy Reid arrived in Kansas City back in 2013 with a 3-2 record against the Chiefs during that span (incl. playoffs). The saving grace is that K.C. has won two of the past three games they’ve played against Indy.
2. Chiefs vs. Matt Ryan: Indianapolis traded to acquire Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. The veteran quarterback has played well against the Chiefs in each of his two matchups against them since 2016 with 597 passing yards and three touchdowns to one interception. What his Falcons teams weren’t able to do is get the win against K.C. with an 0-2 record in those games.
3. Kelce Crazy: Travis Kelce had more bets to score a touchdown than any other player at DraftKings Sportsbook ahead of the team’s Week 2 contest on “Thursday Night Football.”
Kelce might be a good bet in Week 3. He has three career appearances against the Colts (incl. playoffs). During those games, he recorded 18 receptions for 279 yards and a touchdown.
4. Post-Thursday night success: The “mini-bye week” that the Chiefs have after Thursday night games hasn’t been as helpful as you might think. In the games played the week following Thursday games since 2013, Kansas City is just .500 with a 5-5 overall record in that span. The team did win each of the last two games following a Thursday night game.
5. Chiefs vs. Gus Bradley’s defense: Indianapolis lost DC Matt Eberflus to the Bears this offseason and replaced him with Gus Bradley, who was the DC for the Raiders last season. If you’ll recall, the Chiefs’ offense scored a whopping 82 points against Bradley’s defense with Las Vegas last season. It’s 89 points if you include the defensive touchdown scored against the Raiders.
6. Pressure is key to Week 3: If the Chiefs want to repeat the Jaguars’ Week 2 blowout of the Colts, pressure will be the key factor. Matt Ryan dropped back to pass 35 times in Week 2 and was pressured on 18 of those dropbacks (51.4% pressure rate). With four teams left to play on Monday night, Kansas City leads the NFL in pressures with 38 through two games according to Pro Football Reference.
21 Questions:
Listen to Joel Penfield and Kent Swanson answer questions from the subscribers of KC Sports Network.
Quotable:
“I actually reached out to him. I thought he – when it was all said and done – I thought he did a really nice job. That’s a tough situation to come into, especially here at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, when it’s as lively as it was. I mean our crowd was loud, and it was a lot of excitement in the air. So, I was happy for him for that, and I felt comfortable with him kicking, obviously, we let him do it. He did a nice job, with the exception with the last kickoff, where he kind of hit it wrong. He didn’t hit it the way he wanted to hit it. (It) was a little bit short, (we) did a good job covering it but it was a little bit short. But I thought he had a real nice day.” - Andy Reid on backup kicker Matt Ammendola’s performance in Week 2
“It’s in the eye of the official there, (it’s) what they consider. I know that they’ve called it against us before so I wasn’t sure exactly what way that would go but I thought maybe they would go in the direction for us, but it didn’t work out that way. And it might’ve been a little bit cause (Travis) Kelce tried to jump and get himself – he wanted to score there, so it might’ve looked…That position that the defender had on him wasn’t that he literally just picked him up, it was Kelce kind of helped him with getting up there. You still had the slam, which probably didn’t have to take place like that, but it’s kind of in the eyes of the official there on what they deem it. But I do know we’ve been called for that.” - Andy Reid Derwin James’ body slam against Travis Kelce in Week 2
Quick hits:
From Big Red: Chiefs HC Andy Reid was non-committal on Harrison Butker (ankle sprain) being available for Week 3 against the Colts. Butker and all of the injured players are getting treatment for their specific ailments. “It’s kind of wait and see,” Reid said.
From the Monday night doubleheader: The Tennessee Titans have used a standard elevation on former Chiefs WR Josh Gordon ahead of their Week 2 “Monday Night Football” game against the Buffalo Bills.
From NCAA Football: Former Chiefs HC Herm Edwards was fired as head coach of Arizona State’s football team amidst an NCAA investigation and a slow start to the 2022 season.
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Sept. 25 at Noon CT - Week 3: Chiefs vs. Colts - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, Indiana
You make a lifetime of difference for a child or teen.
Boys & Girls Clubs is looking for dedid men and women to invest in the lives of youth through coaching. Did you know by participating in sports, children learn the value of teamwork, responsibility, good sportsmanship, and self-esteem? By becoming a volunteer coach, you are helping to power the dreams—and successful futures—of Kansas City’s kids! The Clubs are currently seeking baseball coaches. Click here to sign up today! All equipment will be provided. No prior coaching experience is needed.