Scouting the Jets' Opponent: Five Questions for Chiefs' Reporter
It'll be their first meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs since 2020 and their first Sunday Night Football appearance since 2011.
The New York Jets are facing a primetime test from the reigning Super Bowl champions in Week 4 at MetLife Stadium. The game will kick off at 8:20 pm ET on October 1 live on NBC.
Kansas City has won two games in a row since its season-opening one-point loss to Detroit. Meanwhile, the Jets appear headed in the opposite direction.
After back-to-back 10-point duds, third-year quarterback Zach Wilson is taking heat for the offense's woes. Meanwhile, the defense hasn't forced a turnover in the two team losses.
To learn more about what Wilson and the Jets are up against come Sunday, we asked Arrowhead Report deputy editor Jordan Foote for some intel on the Chiefs. In an act of reciprocation, I answered five Jets-related questions for the Arrowhead Report readers.
Here is our Jets Country Q&A with the Arrowhead Report.
Chiefs' Receivers
RV: How is the Chiefs' receivers situation shaking out? With Kelce being the No. 1 option in the passing game, is there another target who has started to earn Mahomes's trust?
JF: Much like last year, Patrick Mahomes has two semi-trusted veteran options near the top of the depth chart in Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson. With that said, rookie wideout Rashee Rice leads the room in targets and has emerged as someone Mahomes clearly wants to get involved on offense. Rice has the blend of size, strength, YAC ability and smarts to be an underrated weapon for the Chiefs as the season progresses. It's still a by-committee approach in KC with Kelce being the de facto No. 1, but the receiver picture is slowly but surely gaining clarity.
Chiefs' Offensive Line
RV: What is the state of the Chiefs' offensive line and how susceptible is it against a solid pass rush like that of the Jets?
JF: The interior of the Chiefs' offensive line remains quite strong, with left guard Joe Thuney and center Creed Humphrey picking up right where they left off last season. Right guard Trey Smith is the weak link of the interior, although he's still very solid in his own right. Quinnen Williams is enough of a game-wrecker where he can make some waves regardless of that, however. On the outside, right tackle Jawaan Taylor has been stellar in pass protection despite his penalty issues. After left tackle Donovan Smith gave up seven pressures in Week 1, he's looked more comfortable in recent games. He's the player to attack, though.
Chiefs' Personnel Packages
RV: What offensive alignment do you see the Chiefs leaning on during this game? How often will we see 3 WR, 1 RB and 1 TE formation? What about 12 personnel?
JF: Despite Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson being on the injured reserve list for the year and Travis Kelce having missed the club's first game of the year, Kansas City and Andy Reid are still fans of multi-TE personnel. Entering Week 4, the Chefs ranked eighth in 12-personnel usage on first down and were sixth in 13-personnel usage in those situations at a 14 percent clip. With former fifth-round pick Noah Gray developing into a very formidable TE2 and H-back, Reid is more than comfortable getting more than one tight end on the field at once. With that said, there will be plenty of instances where several wideouts are fielded as well. Three-receiver sets will be commonplace.
Chiefs' Mindset
RV: Is there any chance of the Chiefs underestimating the Jets? Do they sound like they're overlooking this week's opponent at all?
JF: Even with the Jets' struggles on offense and linebacker Willie Gay Jr.'s recent comments seemingly ignoring Zach Wilson, the Chiefs made it very clear during their media availability on Thursday that they aren't taking New York lightly. Kansas City seems to fully believe in the talent of the Jets' running back duo, as well as Garrett Wilson and the defense. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and defensive line coach Joe Cullen are aware of the third-year quarterback's arm talent and mobility, so it appears that the visitors aren't looking past this week's opponent despite how lopsided the matchup may look.
Attacking the Chiefs' Defense
RV: What should the Jets' approach be on offense? Are there any defensive weaknesses that they can try to exploit?
JF: Unlike Spagnuolo defenses of the past, this year's Chiefs defense has jelled together way quicker than normal. It's been a legitimate top 10 unit in all of football through three games, and the return of Chris Jones has added more fire to the pass rush up front. With playmakers at each level (Jones, Drue Tranquill at the linebacker spot and Trent McDuffie at cornerback), it's hard to find one specific group of personnel for New York to attack. The defense has historically been a bit susceptible over the middle of the field, so throwing there may be a wise approach. In the rushing attack, going right at veteran nose tackle Derrick Nnadi on early downs could pay dividends.
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