Without Jayden Daniels, Commanders try to cool off Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are heating up.
That's bad news for the NFL in general and the reeling Washington Commanders in particular as the teams prepare for a Monday night matchup in Kansas City.
The Chiefs (4-3) have won two straight and are back in the thick of the AFC West race, one game back of the Denver Broncos entering Week 8.
The Commanders (3-4) have lost two straight and are third in the NFC East, two games behind the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington is under .500 for the first time since losing in Week 1 last season.
Washington will be without star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who suffered a right hamstring strain in Sunday's 44-22 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. While it will be his third missed start in eight games, starting wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel are expected back.
After posting 38 total points in losses to the Chargers and Eagles to begin the season, the Chiefs have scored 28 or more points in each of their past four games, including a 31-0 rout of the Raiders on Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes threw for three touchdowns in each of the past two wins and has 1,131 yards, 11 TD passes and one interception in his last four games.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice, playing in his first regular-season game due to a suspension, had a team-high seven catches for 42 yards and a pair of scores against Las Vegas.
"He didn't play the fourth quarter and probably wanted to," coach Andy Reid said. "He came out feeling good, so that was a positive. Now he gets another week of practice under his belt."
The Chiefs face a Commanders defense that ranks 27th, allowing 364.3 yards per game, including 238.3 (25th) through the air. Against Dallas, Washington allowed 409 yards.
"Our focus needs to be sharper," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said this week. "That's the bare minimum and we're going to dig in to find out how we improve upon that."
Washington has only three takeaways, tied for second worst in the league entering Week 8. In addition, the Commanders are struggling to prevent big plays and get off the field on third down.
"We have the guys and coaches to fix those mistakes," linebacker Bobby Wagner said. "We can't really do anything about what's happened thus far. All we can do is make sure that it's better moving forward."
However, the Commanders are without their top three defensive ends. This week they placed Dorance Armstrong (knee) on injured reserve, where he joined Deatrich Wise (quadriceps) and Javontae Jean-Baptiste (pectoral). Starting guard Sam Cosmi (back) did not practice Thursday.
The Chiefs held the Raiders to 95 yards of offense and three first downs. Their defense entered Week 8 ranked fifth in the NFL, allowing 280.3 yards per game.
Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota gets his third start after playing in place of Daniels in two games earlier this season. Mariota relieved Daniels on Sunday with nearly 12 minutes left in the third quarter and finished the game 4-of-10 passing for 63 yards and a pick-six.
"I've seen (Mariota) play throughout my entire career and have a lot of successful games, including this year," Mahomes said. "So, we understand it's still going to be a great challenge going up against a great football team and a guy who's had a lot of success in the NFL."
Mariota should have McLaurin (quad) and Samuel (heel), who were full participants at practice Thursday after missing four games and one game, respectively.
Kansas City placed rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott on IR on Tuesday after he suffered a season-ending ACL tear against the Raiders.
Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (ankle/knee), guard Trey Smith (back) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (personal) did not practice Thursday.
Hunt is dealing with a bone bruise on his knee, but Reid told reporters, "He's going to be OK, but we'll have him sit out today."
As for Smith, who is having back spasms, Reid said, "It's getting better. We'll just see how it goes."
Geno Smith Doesn’t Give Up: "Failure is a Valuable Lesson, Success Will Come When We Keep Pushing"
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is no stranger to adversity. After a challenging start to the season, Smith’s resilience has been on full display as he continues to push forward with an unwavering commitment to his team, his fans, and his own personal growth. In a recent reflection, Smith shared his mindset on handling setbacks and how every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.
“Mùa giải này không hề dễ dàng, nhưng tôi không bao giờ từ bỏ. Mỗi thất bại, mỗi trận đấu không như ý đều là một bài học quý giá. Tôi biết rằng để thành công, tôi cần phải tiếp tục làm việc chăm chỉ, không ngừng hoàn thiện bản thân và đội bóng. Dù đối mặt với thử thách lớn, tôi luôn giữ niềm tin vào khả năng của mình và khả năng phục hồi của đội. Tôi tin rằng nếu chúng tôi không ngừng nỗ lực, kết quả sẽ đến, và khi nó đến, nó sẽ xứng đáng với mọi cố gắng," Smith said.
Turning Setbacks into Lessons
For Smith, the challenges faced this season have only strengthened his resolve. Every defeat or setback is a lesson that pushes him to work harder and focus more on improvement. This attitude reflects the kind of leadership that has helped him bounce back from previous struggles, both in his career and in his personal life.
Smith’s philosophy goes beyond just focusing on the game itself; it’s about personal development and team cohesion. "I know that to succeed, I need to keep working hard, constantly improving myself and the team. It’s about building something together," Smith added. The quarterback understands that every small improvement adds up to a bigger picture of success. It’s about staying committed to the process, no matter how difficult it may seem.
Belief in His Team
Despite the ongoing challenges, Smith remains confident in his own ability and the Seahawks’ collective potential. "I always keep faith in my abilities and in the team’s ability to bounce back," Smith said. His belief in the team’s resilience is a reflection of the leadership role he has embraced, even when things are tough.
In the face of a tough season, Smith’s confidence and ability to remain positive are infectious. His leadership style has earned him the respect of his teammates, who look to him as a role model of perseverance. He’s demonstrated that success is not just about physical ability but also about mental toughness and the willingness to continue pushing forward, no matter what the scoreboard says.
Looking Ahead
With a season still ahead, Geno Smith’s words remind us that every game is an opportunity to improve. The Seahawks, under Smith’s leadership, are not backing down from the challenge. As Smith continues to focus on growth, both individually and as a team, he remains confident that success will follow.
"I believe that if we don’t stop working hard, the results will come," Smith concluded. His resolve to keep pushing, even in the face of adversity, embodies the very essence of what it takes to be a leader in the NFL.
As the Seahawks move forward, Geno Smith’s determination and leadership will continue to play a crucial role in their efforts to turn their season around. His mentality—of learning from every setback and trusting the process—will undoubtedly inspire his teammates as they continue their quest for victory.
