The latest
Sources – Chiefs to activate WR Hollywood Brown, barring setbacks | ESPN
Brown hasn’t played for the Chiefs since suffering a sternoclavicular injury on the first play of the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had surgery and was in rehab before returning to practice for the first time last week.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday “there’s a good chance’’ Brown plays on Saturday.
“He’s done a nice job,” Reid said. “He’s been able to run and keep himself in running shape.’’
Bleacher Report’s Expert Week 16 NFL Picks | Bleacher Report
“The Chiefs control their own destiny in pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the AFC and continue to churn out close wins. They’re motivated to do everything in their power to secure that first-round bye as they target the first-ever NFL three-peat.
“Houston comes to Arrowhead having clinched its own division already, although CJ Stroud hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire in his sophomore season. It’s true, the Texans can take advantage of the middling Chiefs secondary with their explosive skill weapons now that Nico Collins is back to full strength.
“Still, I envision an Andy Reid masterclass incoming and a playbook that throws the kitchen sink at Houston in each scenario. Fool me once.”
NFL Week 16 Power Rankings: The Chiefs head back to No. 1, the Vikings close in on the Lions | PFF
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Strength of schedule to date: 24
Strength of schedule remaining: 5
Projected avg. wins: 14.9
% chance of making the playoffs: 100.0
% chance of winning the division: 100.0
% chance of winning the conference: 40.3
% chance of winning the Super Bowl: 21.0
The Chiefs improved to 13-1 after an unconvincing win over the Browns — a familiar formula this season. However, the big storyline is Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury, which he suffered late in the game. He is considered week-to-week, but with their current position, the Chiefs don’t need to rush him back. Still, knowing Mahomes, he’ll do everything he can to return quickly. His 81.0 PFF grade ranks ninth among quarterbacks this season.
Tom Brady’s Power Rankings: Who made the GOAT’s Top 5 teams entering Week 16? | FOX Sports
1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) (Last week: 2)
Week 15 result: Defeated Cleveland Browns, 21-7
Brady’s thoughts: ”Making their return to the top spot in my power rankings, it’s the Kansas City Chiefs. [Steve Spagnuolo], you’ve got a dominant defense. I know you know this. You’re forcing so many turnovers against the Browns last week.
“I know Patrick [Mahomes] suffered an ankle injury in the game, but that’s a guy whose toughness is never in doubt. I’m sure he’s gonna do everything he can to get back out there against the Texans on a short week.
“Those are my power rankings after Week 15. Let’s see how they shake out after Week 16, and a great slate of games coming up.”
Is This the Year the Chiefs’ Flaws Finally Keep Them From the Super Bowl? | The Ringer
Inconsistent decision-making from Mahomes—from being too hesitant to push the ball downfield early in the season and now being too eager to do so—has contributed to the disappearance of the deep ball from Kansas City’s offense, but it’s not the biggest culprit. That would be the offensive line—and the two tackle spots, in particular. The left tackle position has been a black hole on the depth chart for a few years now. The plan this season was to let 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris and rookie second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia battle for the starting job in training camp. But neither ended up being great options. Suamataia won the mid-off in camp but was benched after two weeks. Morris did a decent job in his first couple of months as a starter, but he got hurt in the Week 10 win over the Broncos, and his play has fallen off considerably since. Kansas City signed veteran free agent D.J. Humphries in late November, but he hurt his hamstring in his debut against the Chargers in Week 14 and hasn’t practiced since. Last week, a desperate Reid shifted left guard Joe Thuney out to tackle, moving one of his better offensive linemen out of position.
Around the NFL
Reports: Saints signing RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Reuters
Former first-round draft pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire is set to join the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
The move brings Edwards-Helaire back to a familiar place, with the 25-year-old having played three seasons at LSU.
The running back led the Chiefs in rushing yards his rookie year after being selected with the 32nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, bursting onto the scene with 803 yards and four touchdowns.
NFL playoff picture, clinching scenarios: Broncos, Chargers almost in | USA Today
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6), wild card No. 2: By sweeping the Broncos for the first time in 14 years, they prevented Denver from clinching on Thursday night while leapfrogging their division rivals and picking up the tiebreaker (by virtue of the sweep) should the clubs wind up tied. One more win locks Bolts into the field … unless the Colts and Dolphins do it for them by both losing on Sunday afternoon. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, at Raiders
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs-Texans Preview: 3 things I’m watching
My biggest concern is protecting whoever plays quarterback against one of the NFL’s best pass rushes.
Only the Denver Broncos (49) have sacked the quarterback more times than the Texans (45), and defensive end Danielle Hunter, who lined up opposite the left tackle 38 times against the Miami Dolphins last Sunday, is among the league’s top 20 in quarterback pressures (16) over the last five weeks.
It won’t be D.J. Humphries, who is still nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice the first two days. So who will it be? Joe Thuney for the second straight week, or second-year lineman Wanya Morris?
“I want to give a lot of credit to Joe coming in last week and doing what he did,” said offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on Wednesday. “I thought in that moment he did a great job against a really good front, and in particular, Myles Garrett, so we’ll continue to keep an eye on that, and in the end, coach Reid will make the final decision on how we go with that and where we go. But I just look back to last week and say, for what Joe did in that moment, I think it just speaks to him, and the value that he has in being able to have the flexibility to go out there and play tackle like he did.”
