We predict the Chiefs’ key player stats for Sunday’s Opening Game.
In order to properly predict the statistics of players, you need to have a narrative in place of how the game will go. It’s highly unlikely that a quarterback has a big day passing but their team only scores 13 points. Likewise, not every offensive player is going to have big numbers, game script controls some of who gets opportunities and who does not.
For the purpose of this exercise, we are predicting a somewhat high-scoring affair for both teams. The Chiefs will pull out to a lead early and then the Browns will make it close in the last minutes of the game. Chiefs will ultimately win a game that never really felt close until the last 5-7 minutes.
Patrick Mahomes – 24/29, 255 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT
Analysis- I’m expecting a really efficient outing for Mahomes against an improved Browns offense. The game could look a lot like the Texans’ home opener last year. Mahomes will have to take what the defense gives him and take some easy completions. Likewise, the Chiefs will make a concerted effort to run the ball early and often to give the offensive line a confidence boost. Pat will continue his trend of never throwing a September interception.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire – 78 rushing yards, 55 receiving yards, 1 TD
CEH will have an encouraging day on the ground and through the air. I expect the Chiefs to go to him early and often. What will be most encouraging will be seeing the offense pound in the ball in a short-yardage situation to give Edwards-Helaire his first rushing touchdown of the year.
Tyreek Hill – 52 yards, 1 TD
Similar to the Texans’ home opener last year the Browns with their much-improved secondary will prioritize stopping the big play. Taking a page from the Buccaneers playbook, expect to see lots of 2 deep safety looks from the Browns but Tyreek will still find the end zone.
Travis Kelce – 110 yards, 1 TD
The Chiefs own the center of the field and Kelce is the man who controls that real estate. The linebacking core of the Browns is the obvious weakness of that defense. Yes, the addition of promising rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could help the Browns pass coverage. But in his rookie debut, after missing some of camp due to Covid and facing a hall of fame talent in Travis Kelce, there’s not much hope for him being the difference. Kelce will pick up right where he left off in 2020.
Mecole Hardman – 18 yards receiving, 33 yards rushing, and a rushing TD
The Chiefs have proven they will force-feed Mecole Hardman the ball even if the means in the rushing game. Looks for Mecole to get some jet sweep opportunities this Sunday and he breaks one big for a score. Despite that, he still struggles to produce as a consistent WR2.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69318791/1296908247.0.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
