Jets vs. Chiefs: Complete Week 9 Preview for Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs have the hot hand, winning four of their last five games by a combined score of 149-78 and allowing just 15.6 points per game during that stretch.

Kansas City’s defense has challenged opposing offenses, as the numbers show. The Chiefs are second in total defense, first against the pass and third in points allowed.

Going into Week 9, the New York Jets are 1-7, as they are last in total offense and own the worst turnover differential. This bodes well for the Chiefs, who can use their defensive front seven to create pressure and force plenty of turnovers.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid knows this is a perfect opportunity to get the offense going against a team that has given up 28 points per game, 30th in the league.

Kansas City has been on fire lately as a whole, dominating on all three phases of the game. The Chiefs have an opportunity to shine in those three facets again when the Jets visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

Week 8 Recap

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After allowing the St. Louis Rams to score a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, the Chiefs silenced them the rest of the game and scored 34 points to pick up a blowout win. It was the second time they won a game by 27 points—the other being the 41-14 win over the Patriots.

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith threw just four incompletions as he went 25-of-29 for 223 yards. Running back Jamaal Charles scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground, while backup Knile Davis also got in on the fun with a rushing touchdown and a kick-return score.

Defensively, the Chiefs racked up seven sacks. With three of them, outside linebacker Justin Houston now stands alone in first with the most sacks with 10.

News and Notes

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Michael Vick to start

After second-year quarterback Geno Smith was struggling all season long, Jets head coach Rex Ryan announced that Michael Vick will start against the Kansas City Chiefs. But will this make a difference offensively?

Vick had limited success last year with the Eagles before losing his job to Nick Foles in Philadelphia. When the Chiefs faced Vick in Week 3 of 2013, Houston collected 4.5 sacks. If you are a Chiefs fan, you have to feel good about the possibility of the defense giving Vick issues throughout the game.

Alex Smith hurt

Smith injured his right shoulder near the end of the first half against St. Louis after being sacked but managed to get through the second half. ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher reported that Smith plans to play against the Jets.

Knile Davis wins award

Backup running back and kick returner Davis was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after opening the second half with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. It is his first time winning the award and his second career kick-return touchdown; his first came last year against Denver when he went 108 yards for a touchdown.

Injury Report

Tim Umphrey/Associated Press

NAME	POSITION	INJURY	WED	THU	FRI	GAME STATUS
Avery, Donnie	WR	Groin	Out	Out	Out	Out
Berry, Eric	S	Ankle	LP	LP	-	-
Charles, Jamaal	RB	Back	FP	FP	-	-
Fasano, Anthony	TE	Shoulder	FP	FP	-	-
Fleming, Jamell	DB	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	-	-
Gaines, Phillip	CB	Quad	FP	FP	-	-
Gray, Cyrus	RB	Hand	FP	FP	-	-
Hemingway, Junior	WR	Hamstring	FP	FP	-	-
Kelce, Travis	TE	Ribs	LP	FP	-	-
Martin, Josh	LB/DE	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	-	-
McGlynn, Mike	G	Foot	FP	FP	-	-
Owens, Chris	CB	Knee	LP	LP	-	-
Smith, Alex	QB	Shoulder	FP	FP	-	-
Smith, Sean	CB	Groin	FP	FP	-	-

The Chiefs released their biggest injury report list of the season with 14 players on the list, but there doesn't appear to be anything dire that should concern fans.

Defensive back Jamell Fleming has gotten more playing time in the last two games but did not practice due to a distressed hamstring. 

Offensively, the Chiefs will be without Donnie Avery again and hope Junior Hemingway can be available this week after he was inactive against the Rams.

Note: Injury report courtesy of KCChiefs.com.

Key Matchups and X-Factor

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

RT Ryan Harris vs. DE Muhammad Wilkerson

Ryan Harris has been OK up to this point while filling in for Donald Stephenson at right tackle, allowing three sacks through seven games. This Sunday, Harris will have his biggest challenge of the season when he faces Muhammad Wilkerson, who leads the Jets in sacks with 4.5.

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith lives up to his potential and plays his best when the offensive line keeps him on his feet. Wilkerson is the biggest threat on defense. If Harris can keep him quiet, Kansas City's offense should be fine.

OLB Justin Houston vs. RT Breno Giacomini

Houston currently leads the NFL in sacks with 10 and looks to get more. He sacked Vick 4.5 times last year in a game and hopes to have a similar game to add onto a terrific season. In order to so do, he must go through Breno Giacomini, who has surrendered just 0.75 sacks.

Even so, expect Houston to play well and have another multi-sack game as he will lead Kansas City's front seven to create short-lived drives.

CBs Jamell Fleming and Sean Smith vs. WRs Eric Decker and Percy Harvin

Chiefs fans remember Eric Decker well after he lit up the Chiefs last year when he played for the Denver Broncos. He caught eight receptions for 174 yards and four touchdowns in Week 13, which won him AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Newly acquired wide receiver Percy Harvin made his debut for the Jets last week, and he was used in multiple ways. He lined up on the outside and in the slot and came out of the backfield on offense.

If Fleming plays, he and Sean Smith have to be ready. Although Vick has been bad the past couple of years, he is a veteran who can get going if he is in sync with his receivers.

X-Factor: Alex Smith

Although Smith has played well the past three years, he still receives criticism for not throwing enough downfield. He has unique ways of leading his offense to scores and eventually wins, which is fine. But for those expecting him to make bigger plays, you can expect that this week when Smith faces a hapless defense.

Prediction

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

The Chiefs should dominate the Jets. Given Kansas City's recent success and New York's poor play, it is hard to pick against the Chiefs and difficult to think this won't be another blowout loss for the Jets.

Given that Vick has been limited with his repetitions in practice with the first-team offense and Harvin was recently acquired, the offense has very little chemistry on the field.

For the Chiefs, it is simple.

On offense: Run the ball. Smith will air it out as well throughout the game and will have a great game. Dwayne Bowe has played slightly better the past couple of weeks and is due for a breakout game. This week is Bowe's best chance at having one.

On defense: Pressure Vick. It is what the Chiefs have done well all year. With Houston leading the way, outside linebacker Tamba Hali, nose tackle Dontari Poe and defensive end Allen Bailey have given quarterbacks nightmares during games.

On special teams: Kansas City has looked really good on special teams, thanks to coordinator Dave Toub. Rookie kicker Cairo Santos has made his last eight field goals, while punter Dustin Colquitt continues to play at a high level. The Chiefs also got their return game going, as Davis scored the first return touchdown for the team last week.

If you're a Chiefs fan, this will be fun. If you're a Jets fan, this will be a long game.

Prediction: Chiefs 49, Jets 0

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