What’s Arrowhead Delight Premier? Arrowhead Delight Premier is our tri-weekly e-newsletter, one that gives evaluation and unique insights straight from Arrowhead Stadium, delivered straight to your inbox. Beneath is a preview of the newest version.
BY PETE SWEENEY
Heading into Sunday, the expectation was clear: the 9-1 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, recent off their first loss, would rebound with a dominant efficiency in opposition to the struggling 3-7 Carolina Panthers.
The matchup proved something however that, with Kansas Metropolis blowing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead earlier than Patrick Mahomes delivered yet one more clutch scramble to safe the victory.
Waking up on Monday, I believe there can be Chiefs followers in two camps: some will say that this 12 months’s group isn’t nearly as good as variations of earlier seasons, whereas others will level to their 10 victories… in different phrases, the “a-win-is-a-win” crowd.
As is normally the case, the right take will lie someplace within the center.
Kansas Metropolis little question flies house with so much to wash up whether it is critical about its three-peat. However no matter how his group acquired there on Sunday, it marked Andy Reid’s tenth consecutive 10-win season – reminding us that even in essentially the most dire of circumstances, he and his quarterback usually discover a manner.
With that, let’s dive into my ideas of the second:
It’s an oft-overlooked a part of the sport, however I believe all of us have to take a second for the kicker.
Lower than two weeks in the past, the Chiefs’ special-teams outlook modified dramatically when the NFL’s greatest kicker, Harrison Butker, went down at follow with a meniscus harm. Kansas Metropolis reached out to Spencer Shrader, who was then a member of the New York Jets’ follow squad.
Shrader selected to return to the Chiefs over a promotion to the Jets’ energetic roster – and 10 days later, he was making a 31-yard game-winning kick to propel Kansas Metropolis over the Panthers.
“The largest emotion in that second is gratitude for the chance and simply blissful I used to be capable of exit and carry out for the group,” mentioned Shrader after the sport. “Whenever you be a part of a company just like the Chiefs, there’s a championship tradition, and there’s a regular to uphold. So for me, I simply wished to return in and do my greatest for the group for so long as I’m right here. I used to be grateful to be put in a state of affairs [Sunday] to step up and put a pair factors up there, however that’s a group effort on the finish of the day. Simply actually grateful for the chance.”
After the Mahomes scramble acquired the Chiefs to the Carolina 22, Reid referred to as two extra performs, together with a 10-yard catch by operating again Kareem Hunt to deliver the group to the 13.
“We had confidence,” mentioned Reid. “As shut as you can get, I like, as a result of percentages for any kicker go up. We’ve confidence in him. He’s acquired an enormous leg.”
Shrader made all three extra-point tries in opposition to the Buffalo Payments after which was profitable on three additional factors and three subject targets in opposition to the Panthers. His outing grew to become important to Kansas Metropolis’s victory in what became a decent sport.
“It’s been a whirlwind for certain, however I believe the factor that helps in that state of affairs is I’m round a bunch of true professionals,” mentioned Shrader. “You are available, and you’ve got a snapper (James Winchester) and a holder (Matt Araiza) who’re elite at what they do. They usually’re attempting to get you as comfy as potential. Day-after-day is a studying expertise – you’re engaged on issues, you’re refining your craft just a little bit every day, however I couldn’t be round a greater group, a greater group.
“Everybody reaching out, attempting to get you as comfy as potential to set you up for a state of affairs like this. Yeah, there’s rising pains and there’s issues to determine, however I believe it’s gone about nearly as good as it may well given the timeline and the state of affairs, simply being round wonderful folks.”
What else is on this version?
Pete has two extra ideas on the Chiefs’ Week 12 win over the Panthers.
Jared Sapp highlights yet one more Patrick Mahomes game-saving run.
In his first take a look at the movie, Ron Kopp analyzes what went fallacious with the Chiefs’ cross protection.
Editors Present preview
Here’s a clip from final week’s Editors Present that includes Pete Sweeney and John Dixon.
AP Premier subscribers obtain a hyperlink of their Tuesday e-newsletter to your entire hour-long video podcast.
What else is included in a subscription?
You’ll be able to count on 3 weekly newsletters in the course of the season. Along with our Thursday preview e-newsletter…
Brandon Kiley has returned as a Tuesday columnist. Right here’s an excerpt from his phrases final week:
So, the place do you stand? Did it matter? Did it not? Someplace in-between? What did the Chiefs’ first lack of the season imply for the group’s standing among the many greatest within the AFC?
It’s the discuss of the nation, and honest arguments exist for either side. Vegas odds nonetheless have the Chiefs because the betting favourite to characterize the convention within the Tremendous Bowl, however speaking heads are making the case for the Payments after their victory at house in opposition to Kansas Metropolis.
“I don’t suppose there was a louder assertion made yesterday across the league than what the Payments made,” Peter Schrager mentioned Monday on NFL Community. “I do know they’ve received (this sport) 4 instances within the common season, however this one did really feel completely different… It felt like they have been extra ready, extra dominant, they usually had extra weapons.”
“It’s as disconnected a efficiency beneath Steve Spagnuolo that I’ve seen from this Kansas Metropolis Chiefs protection,” Dan Orlovsky mentioned on ESPN’s NFL Reside. “I haven’t seen that from a Spags unit [in a long time], and I don’t suppose that model of the Chiefs protection is what we’ve seen by the nice majority of Spags’ tenure.”
Schrager and Orlovsky are revered nationwide analysts. They do their work, they usually aren’t simply saying issues to trigger an increase. All the fears that emerged in particular person video games this season seemingly confirmed up on the most important stage in opposition to the very best opponent but. It’s honest to acknowledge as a lot.
In our preview e-newsletter on Thursdays, Pete shares his three ideas heading into the sport, Rocky Magaña highlights a pivotal matchup to observe — and John Dixon shares some background on one of many upcoming sport’s largest storylines.
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