Not that long ago, any deficit didn’t seem too big, and neither time nor distance could stop the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs offense.
But 10 games into the season, the Chiefs offense is still trying to find itself amid a slew of dropped passes, penalties and turnovers. The Chiefs will look to turn things around and play up to their capability when they play the Raiders at 3:25 p.m. Sunday in Las Vegas.
“We expect to win, and we expect to be great offensively, and defensively and on special teams,” Mahomes said. “As much as everybody expects us to do it, we expect more out of ourselves. I don’t think it’s any expectation or anything like that. We just have a standard that we want to go out and play to.”
While the Chiefs (7-3) have had success in the first half of games, they have struggled in the second half this season. The Chiefs have scored just 53 points after halftime this season and haven’t scored a point in the second half in three straight games.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team’s offensive struggles in the second half have mostly been self-inflicted, and they have been working to clean that up.
“This second half thing, we’ve got to take care of and figure out and make sure we fix that as coaches and players,” Reid said. “It’s not just the guys. We’ve got to take care of that. If we take care of that, which we can do, you’re going to put yourself in good position.”
While teams have doubled and even triple teamed Travis Kelce at times, there also has been some miscommunication between Mahomes and his receivers downfield, which has contributed to the team’s difficulties in the second half.
Mahomes, however, said that if he and the receivers get on the same page, that will open Kelce up again, and the offense will look more like the norm.
“They understand how much of a threat he is and how well he’s played for a long time now,” Mahomes said. “And they’re trying to take him away the best they can, and it’s my job to get it to the right guy so we can execute. And if we hit some of these deep passes that we’re missing it’ll take teams out of those double teams and triple teams.”
HARDMAN, MCKINNON OUT
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman (thumb) and running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) will not play Sunday. Hardman sprained his thumb Monday against the Eagles and didn’t practice this week. Reid said there’s a chance Hardman’s injury could be significant, and the team was getting it double checked.
With Hardman out, wide receiver Richie James could be active for the first time since Week 2 against Jacksonville.
