Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who has been out for the entire regular season due to a sternoclavicular joint dislocation sustained in an August 10 preseason game, maybe close to returning to practice. Multiple sources suggest the Chiefs are optimistic that Brown could rejoin the team on the practice field by mid-December, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.
Brown, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Chiefs this offseason, caught 51 passes for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. His return would be a significant boost for the Chiefs’ receiving corps, which has dealt with injuries to key players throughout the season.
In addition to Brown’s absence, the Chiefs have struggled with injuries to other prominent players. Running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured right fibula in Week 2, forcing him to miss nine games. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is also out for the season after an LCL injury in Week 2, and kicker Harrison Butker is currently on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Looking ahead to Week 13, the Chiefs are heavy favorites against the Las Vegas Raiders, with a spread of -13. Despite their dominant record (10-1), the Chiefs have been historically poor at covering double-digit spreads under Patrick Mahomes, so analysts suggest leaning toward the Raiders +12.5. However, Kansas City is expected to win the game, relying on its defense to carry the day.
Patrick Mahomes continues to perform in crunch-time situations, ranking in the top 10 for quarterbacks in the 2024 power rankings. Though the Chiefs’ games often require 60 minutes to secure victories, Mahomes has proven to be a playmaker when it matters most. Despite a narrow win against the Carolina Panthers, Mahomes emphasized that these tight victories can be valuable experiences for the Chiefs as they prepare for the playoffs.
In lighter news, a picture of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift celebrating after the Chiefs’ victory in the Super Bowl was included in Time’s 2024 Top 100 Photos list. The image captures a memorable moment between the couple, who have been in the public eye since their relationship became widely known.
Across the NFL, kickers have been more accurate than ever on long-field goals, with the league on track for a record number of successful 50+ yard attempts this season. However, kickers are also being called upon in critical moments late in games, with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers winning games due solely to their kickers’ performance.
On the defensive side of the ball, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones has expressed frustration with the short turnaround between games, preferring to play on Sundays instead of Thursday or Friday. Jones also highlighted the team’s ongoing efforts to turn pressures into sacks, noting the return of Charles Omenihu as a key factor in the Chiefs’ defensive line. Omenihu’s versatility allows the Chiefs to employ more varied pass-rushing schemes, something they’ll need as they prepare to face a tough Raiders offensive line.
