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Articles by Max Cashio
Kansas City Chiefs
2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Chargers Nightmare By Max Cashio - Dec 15, 2021 2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Raiders Nightmare By Max Cashio - Dec 11, 2021 2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Broncos Nightmare By Max Cashio - Dec 4, 2021 Are the Chiefs Copying Their 2019 Super Bowl Blueprint? By Justin Wiggins - Nov 19, 2021 The 2021 season has been up and down for the Kansas City Chiefs.
2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Chargers Nightmare
Photo Credit: Denny Medley (USA TODAY Sports) After dominating the Las Vegas Raiders 48-9 in a game that was never in doubt, the Kansas City Chiefs have won six straight. They are now 9-4 and in contention for first place in the AFC. On Thursday, the Chiefs are once again battling a division rival on the road, hoping to secure their sixth consecutive AFC West title. Kansas City faces a Los Angeles Chargers team, coming off a 37-21 blowout win over the New York Giants.
2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Raiders Nightmare
Photo Credit: Denny Medley (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs are on a roll after five straight wins. They went undefeated in November, and have extended that streak into December with their win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Owners of an 8-4 record and a game within 1st place in the AFC, Kansas City is looking to keep it going against their Week 14 opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders. Much like last week, the Chiefs should roll against another AFC West opponent.
2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Broncos Nightmare
Photo Credit: Denny Medley (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs have finally made their way over the hump this season. The Chiefs went undefeated in November, improving to 7-4 headed into the Denver Broncos game. Their Week 13 bout should be a quality opportunity to continue their winning streak and establish an even more significant lead over the opponents in AFC West. The Broncos are 6-5 after beating the Los Angeles Chargers last week.
Are the Chiefs Copying Their 2019 Super Bowl Blueprint?
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez (USA TODAY Sports) The 2021 season has been up and down for the Kansas City Chiefs. Back-to-back Super Bowl appearances created lofty expectations coming into this season, and a 6-4 start has many on edge. However, it’s easy to forget the Chiefs have been here before, and more recently than you might remember. In 2019, Patrick Mahomes and his teammates ended the season lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the first time in half a century.
Chiefs Add More Than Just a Pass Rusher With Melvin Ingram III
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) When the Kansas City Chiefs traded a late-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for defensive end Melvin Ingram last week, it was with the intention of adding depth to their outside pass rush. However, after his first game in a Chiefs uniform, it’s becoming clear his impact extends well beyond just his own abilities. This offseason, Ingram and the Chiefs seemed destined for a marriage.
2 Chiefs Dreams and 1 Packers Nightmare
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs have once again crawled their back to .500 after a 1-2 start to their season. A Week 9 bout against an Aaron Rodgers-less Packers should be a great opportunity to get above .500 for the first time since they started the season 1-0. The Packers are 7-1 after beating the undefeated Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football last week.
The Path to the Playoffs Looks Daunting For Kansas City
Photo Credit: Steve Roberts (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Playoffs have become synonymous since Andy Reid’s arrival as head coach in 2013, advancing to the winter showdown in all but one season. Following perhaps the most disheartening loss of the season this past Sunday in Nashville, many are beginning to question Kansas City’s ability to turn around what has been a disappointing campaign to date.
The NFL Has Finally Caught Up to the Chiefs
Photo credit: George Walker IV (The Tennessean) It finally happened. The day every Kansas City Chiefs fan hoped would never come. The NFL has figured out quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the offense head coach Andy Reid has perfected since 2018. Three entire seasons of record-setting performances provided Kansas City its most prolific era in franchise history. However, it’s safe to say that that iteration of the Chiefs’ offense is over, at least at this moment.
Derrick Henry Isn’t the Chiefs’ Biggest Obstacle to Overcome Sunday
Photo Credit: Denny Medley (USA TODAY Sports) How does the old saying go? “An unstoppable force meets an immovable object?” But wait, what would be the opposite of that? “An unstoppable force meets a group of Spanish Matadors?” The latter would be a more accurate representation of a key matchup this Sunday in the Music City. The Kansas City Chiefs will bring their 27th-ranked rush defense to Nashville this weekend in an attempt to slow down an emerging MVP candidate in Derrick Henry.
Patrick Mahomes Isn't Letting His Family Distract Him
Photo Credit: Denny Medley (USA TODAY Sports) Patrick Mahomes’ family may be obnoxious, but they aren’t the reason why the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t as dominant as they have been the past two seasons. Still, they probably should take it down a notch. Not long ago, Skip Bayless suggested Mahomes is regressing as a quarterback. He has indeed had a down year relative to previous seasons.
2 Kansas City Dreams and 1 WFT Nightmare
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs officially have their backs against the wall. A 2-3 record through five games leaves them looking at the AFC playoff picture from the outside-in. Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers lead K.C. by two games in the AFC West. The Chiefs need a victory, and Washington should represent the start of a winning streak. So far, turnovers and a Charmin-soft defense have held Kansas City back from its full potential.
5 Numbers That Tell the Story of the Chiefs-Eagles Game
Photo Credit: Benny Sieu (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense bailed them out of a messy game, allowing them to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 42-30 and avoid dropping three games in a row. Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill put up video game numbers that ultimately put away a pesky Eagles team. The Chiefs may still be in last place in their division, but don’t let that fool you. The Chiefs are still one of the best teams in the NFL, and their offensive performance proved it.
Is the Fourth Time the Charm For Josh Gordon?
Photo Credit: Douglas DeFelice (USA TODAY Sports) In 1980, Flash Gordon was trying to relive his glory days as a star quarterback for the New York Football Jets, fighting off the malicious Emperor Ming. In 2021, another Flash Gordon will try and rekindle his glory days as a football star yet again, this time for the Kansas City Chiefs. And hopefully, it is not the same old Josh Gordon we’ve seen before.
It's Way Too Early To Panic About the Chiefs
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar territory following their Week 3 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. At 1-2, not only are the Chiefs looking up at the rest of the AFC West, they are under .500 for the first time since 2015, two years before Patrick Mahomes was drafted.
A Couple Of Tweaks the Chiefs Can Make To Get More Out Of Their O-Line
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) Through the first three games of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs are below .500 for the first time since 2015 and are currently in last place in the AFC West. How did the Chiefs start the season 1-2? There are many explanations: penalties, missed assignments, time management, etc. However, one of Kansas City’s pivotal shortcomings has been the offensive line play.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Needs To Bounce Back Against the Chargers
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports A Sunday night loss against the Baltimore Ravens revealed some of the Kansas City Chiefs’ weaknesses — notably, their rushing attack, which many thought would show up in a big way against Baltimore. Unfortunately, the Chiefs’ running game was more akin to a disappearing act than a formidable offensive force. With 64 total rushing yards, Kansas City looked foolish in their ground game.
Finding the Run Game Would Solve A Lot Of Problems For the Chiefs
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan (USA TODAY Sports) If the Kansas City Chiefs want to avoid an early-season losing streak, their run game needs to get going in a hurry. A good weekend of football concluded with a marquee matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson on Sunday night. The budding rivalry between the two AFC powerhouses did not disappoint.
Red-Zone Defense Is Holding Kansas City Back
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan (USA TODAY Sports) Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ 36-35 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Chiefs Kingdom has found plenty of targets for their blame over the season’s first loss. There were plenty of guilty parties, from Andy Reid’s timid fourth-quarter play-calling to the defense’s inability to stop the run, to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s fumble just as the offense was positioning themselves to kick a game-winning field goal.
The Chiefs Needed This Loss Now More Than Ever
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan (USA TODAY Sports) Following a gritty come-from-behind win in Cleveland, the Kansas City Chiefs showed some concerning weaknesses in a sloppy Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Losses are rarely celebrated, but this one was necessary for the long-term development of the team.
Kansas City's Run Defense Was Overwhelmed From Start to Finish
Photo Credit: Mitch Stringer (USA TODAY Sports) Amid all the chaos of the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, Kansas City’s run defense was incredibly disconcerting. All night they watched Baltimore ball carriers breeze by them. Sunday night’s game shouldn’t instill panic in Chiefs fans — the team will be just fine. However, the run defense needs to figure things out fast. Some will say this is just what Lamar Jackson and the Ravens do. Fine.
Kansas City's Defense Should Run Wild Against the Ravens
Photo Credit: Mitch Stringer (USA TODAY Sports) After a nail-biter of a Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking ahead to a Sunday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs’ defense was without Tyrann Mathieu, Frank Clark, and Willie Gay in Week 1, but now they will get Mathieu, and potentially Clark, back this week.
Will the Ravens Finally Adjust Their Approach To Defending Mahomes?
Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan (USA TODAY Sports) This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore to face off against another AFC contender. The game will bring another round of “Can Lamar Jackson finally beat Patrick Mahomes?” storylines. However, those headlines have become misleading and unfair to Jackson, mostly because the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff has routinely put their team in tough-to-win situations every time they face the back-to-back AFC champs.
Are the Chiefs Better When They're Behind?
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) You can’t win a Super Bowl in September, but getting that first one certainly does make a difference. Going all the way back to 2005, the Chiefs have gone to the playoffs every season that they start 1-0. Unlike the Cleveland Browns football squads of 15 years ago, this year’s team came out of the offseason looking rather impressive after their 2020 campaign and proved to be a tough test for any team they matched up with to begin the year.
The Chiefs’ Offensive Weaknesses Reared Their Ugly Head - But it Didn't Matter
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) As the Kansas City Chiefs geared up for their key Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, with future playoff-seeding implications on the line, a few glaring potential weaknesses on the offense lingered. The Chiefs were outwardly committed to improving two facets on that side of the ball this year: a more efficient run game and a more varied passing attack.
Chiefs O-Line Gets Early Test Against Browns
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) Every week in the NFL brings something to look forward to, but not every week brings as much hype as the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. This Week 1 bout brings with it a rematch from last year’s playoffs. Cleveland, a team on the rise over the past few seasons, looks to avenge a playoff game in which they lost despite Patrick Mahomes leaving early and being replaced by Chad Henne.
Kansas City Chiefs
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine (USA TODAY Sports) The Kansas City Chiefs have a well-rounded roster, and it’s difficult to find a weakness on either offense or defense. However, their Week 1 opponent, the Cleveland Browns, has the talent to go toe-to-toe with them and spoil their regular-season debut. In particular, their wide receiver unit, led by Odell Beckham Jr., could give the Chiefs secondary fits. WHAT SHOULD THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS EXPECT SUNDAY?
The Chiefs Defense Can Survive Without Willie Gay Jr.
Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove (USA TODAY Sports) Around the NFL, when someone mentions the Kansas City Chiefs, the first thought of most is their ridiculously talented offense lead by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Head Coach Andy Reid. Who can blame them?
Mecole Hardman Needs To Ascend Immediately
Photo Credit: Steve Sanders/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports In the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs received praise for their additions to the offensive line to help Patrick Mahomes following his run-for-your-life loss last February in the Super Bowl to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While many of the necessary boxes seemed to be checked, there is still one big looming question over the Chiefs’ offense: Who will step up as the No. 2 wideout?
What the Preseason Means For Mahomes' 20-0 Prediction
Photo Credit: Benny Sieu (USA TODAY Sports) For most teams, the preseason doesn’t mean all too much. It gives teams time to evaluate young players, and lets veterans get ready for the grind of a long season. However, when your quarterback makes a 20-0 prediction in the offseason, suddenly, your preseason carries a little more weight than in years past. That is exactly what happened for the Kansas City Chiefs, as Patrick Mahomes made going 20-0 a goal for the team this year.
The Trajectory of Willie Gay Jr.
Despite being in win-now mode, the Kansas City Chiefs currently have a lot of young pieces to work with, and the most popular name mentioned in that category may be linebacker Willie Gay Jr. He has displayed a lot of flashes early on but hasn’t come close to reaching his potential yet. Going back to the 2017 NFL draft, the Chiefs made a franchise-changing and league-altering move by trading up for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Relying on Mecole Hardman Is a Mistake
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita (USA TODAY Sports) Entering his third NFL season, Mecole Hardman has seemingly been given the reins as the No. 2 receiver in the most potent offense in the NFL, and the Kansas City Chiefs should be worried. Following the departure of the glass skeleton that is Sammy Watkins, many believed general manager Brett Veach would search for the Watkins replacement, either via the draft or free agency.
The Chiefs’ O-Line Could Have More Questions Than We Want to Admit
Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports There has been a lot of talk throughout the offseason about the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line. Since losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, when Patrick Mahomes was clearly uncomfortable in the pocket all game, Kansas City has largely retooled their O-line.
K.J. Osborn Is Minnesota's Under-the-Radar Threat For WR3
Photo Credit: Brad Rempel (USA TODAY Sports) For a few years now, there has been the lingering question about what the Minnesota Vikings will do with their third receiver spot. From failed free-agent acquisitions like Jordan Taylor and Tajae Sharpe to settling for Chad Beebe, this roster spot has been a focus of frustration for fans. An unlikely player has emerged as a potential answer this summer: K.J. Osborn. Unlike last year, the Vikings were able to have a regular offseason.
Why Is the National Media So Down On the Vikings?
Photo Credit: Brad Rempel (USA TODAY Sports) Ask your fellow Skoldier what their expectations are for this season and you’re more than likely to get a response that sounds something like this: “We get Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, and Michael Pierce back this year! And all those free agents that Rick Spielman signed! And that offense with Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen! Why can’t the Minnesota Vikings win the NFC North this year?!” Don’t get me wrong, there’s reason to be...
Mike Zimmer's Job Could Come Down to Something He Can't Control
Photo Credit: Kyle Hansen Mike Zimmer knows his team is expected to win this season. The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up a 7-9 season and, with limited cap space, he needed to find a way to improve his roster. Entering a pressure-packed season, Zimmer returned to what he knew, bolstering the defense to complement his fourth-ranked offense. It took a $45 million shopping spree in free agency, but Zimmer finally had his defense where he wanted it.
The Vikings Can Still Take the Division With Rodgers In the Fold
Photo Credit: Brad Rempel (USA TODAY Sports) The NFC North has seen what will be regarded as one of the weirdest offseasons for a quarterback in years. Aaron Rodgers returned to the Green Bay Packers this week, just days before training camp began, and just a few weeks away from the preseason. Rodgers, 37, had spent much of the offseason offering hints at his possible departure from Green Bay, with trade rumors and speculation constant until this week.
Who Can Beat Out Bisi Johnson?
Photo Credit: Tim Fuller (USA TODAY Sports) For what feels like the 100th consecutive year, the Minnesota Vikings will have an open competition at their third wide receiver position. It’s a backup job for the TE-heavy Vikings, but one that gets plenty of ink spilled. Chad Beebe and Olabisi Johnson lead the way while a smattering of long shots nips at their heels. It’s not an inspiring group. So what do we have in the other two guys? Beebe is a fairly known quantity.
Justin Jefferson Doesn't Need To Be Enamored With Kirk Cousins
Photo Credit: Nick Wosika (USA TODAY Sports) It seems like Adam Thielen has been best buds with every wide receiver the Vikings have had, past and present. Cordarrelle Patterson called him his “brother from another mother.” He was bummed out when Stefon Diggs was traded but quickly developed a rapport with Justin Jefferson.
Is Cam Bynum the Eventual Successor to Harrison Smith?
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee (USA TODAY Sports) The Minnesota Vikings have had exceptional play at the safety position for almost a decade now thanks to All-Pro safety Harrison Smith, who was drafted out of Notre Dame in 2012. Smith’s career in Minnesota has resulted in five Pro Bowl appearances so far, and there’s a chance he finds himself in the Hall of Fame one day.
Could Adrian Peterson's 2012 Season Be Replicated In Today's Game?
Photo Credit: Kyle Hansen (Cumulus Media) Some records will never be broken in our lifetime. Tom Brady will hold both career records for passing yards and passing touchdowns. Eric Dickerson has held the single-season rushing record since 1984. And Jerry Rice will likely hold the receiving yardage record for a long time. Every season fans and analysts hold out hope and watch as players “are on pace” for any number of records throughout the year.
Why Vikings Fans Should Be Higher On Garrett Bradbury
Photo Credit: David Berding (USA TODAY Sports) Every once in a while, film people and stats people fall on completely opposite sides of a particular issue. Garrett Bradbury is a player who creates such a divide. While popular film analysts like Brandon Thorn and Brian Baldinger gush about Bradbury’s unique talents, a more analytical organization like PFF calls him the worst Vikings draft mistake of the decade.
How Long Is Mike Zimmer's Leash?
Photo Credit: Brad Rempel (USA TODAY Sports) The scene is Christmas Day. You’re sitting in your living room, spending time with your loved ones. Football is on TV on a Friday afternoon. Exciting, right? Next thing you know, you’re watching Alvin Kamara run through 11 grown men like your dog mindlessly chasing a butterfly through the backyard. For Mike Zimmer, that’s living your worst nightmare.
These Vikings Rookies Were Prevented From Getting Key Reps in Offseason Practices
Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports Mini-camp is over, training camp is on the horizon, and yet we still don’t know as much about the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie class as we should. The thinking going into camp was that this year’s Vikings would be able to dodge some of the obstacles that tripped them up last year. Among the strategies: Use the offseason to prepare rookies for spots they might find themselves in during the regular season.
What Justin Jefferson Can Learn From Randy Moss' Second Year
Photo Credit: Brad Rempel (USA Today Sports) Even after a historic rookie campaign, Justin Jefferson will be looking to build upon his accomplishments. After breaking the rookie record for receiving yards in a season and making the Pro Bowl, Jefferson is looking to establish consistency. General managers and coaches are always anxious to get a rookie going right away, given the draft capital they put into young players and how important they are to a team’s success.
When and Why Did Our Expectations For the Vikings Change?
Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson (USA TODAY Sports) As the Minnesota Vikings embark on head coach Mike Zimmer’s eighth season, I often find myself circling back to a William Shakespeare quote. “Expectation,” he said, “is the root of all heartache.” It’s no secret that we Minnesotans have seen our fair share of disappointment and heartache when it comes to our favorite local sports teams.
Signing Bashaud Breeland Could Prevent Repeating One of Last Year’s Biggest Disasters
Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff (USA TODAY Sports) With the addition of Patrick Peterson and the return of Mackensie Alexander, the Minnesota Vikings have used a free-agent spending spree to shore up their secondary — one of their most significant weaknesses last year. And with Cameron Dantzler, Harrison Hand, and Kris Boyd already on the roster, Minnesota’s depth chart appears to be set at cornerback. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t use some help.
Does Geno Smith Actually Make Sense for Minnesota?
Photo Credit: Joe Maiorana (USA TODAY Sports) As we start OTAs and move further away from both the initial wave of free agency and the draft, we see there are still plenty of veteran players on the market who could potentially make an impact if they end up in the right situation. The Minnesota Vikings are rumored to be interested in eight-time Pro-Bowler Geno Atkins, a member of the 2010’s all-decade team, who is still unsigned.
Kirk Cousins' MVP Blueprint For Next Year
Photo Credit: Derick Hingle (USA TODAY Sports) Like all NFL quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins is looking to build on his previous success. Statistically, Kirk hung around with the best of the best last year, and he could be in line for an MVP year next season. That’s right, I see a way for Cousins to be the league MVP. Let me explain. Cousins’ MVP path has cleared, at least in the NFC.
How the Vikings' 2020 Draft Class Can Be Better Than Their 2015 Draft Class
Photo Credit: Brad Rempel (USA Today Sports) The Minnesota Vikings’ 2020 draft class has the potential to go down as one of the best in franchise history. With Justin Jefferson, Ezra Cleveland, and Cameron Dantzler seizing starting roles in their rookie year, the Vikings have the foundation for a team that can make a deep playoff run. Pro Football Focus recently gave the 2020 class an A+, but there’s a chance it can get even better next year.
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