Keep an eye on Chiefs wide receiver Richie James + other things to watch vs. Raiders
Look for Richie James to be next up for more playing time at wide receiver for the Chiefs, who play host to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday — Christmas Day — at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
“Richie has got to play more than two snaps, so that’s my responsibility on that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I didn’t have him in on enough stuff. He’s a good football player.”
That pretty much assures James will get more than the two snaps he logged in last weekend’s victory over the New England Patriots.
He made the most of the scant playing time, turning a short reception into a 17-yard gain. But the Chiefs might have to use more of James in this one, as their options are dwindling. Skyy Moore went on the injured reserve list, and Kadarius Toney missed practice time with an injury and is likely to see reduced snaps after adding to his list of woes by turning a bobble into an interception last week.
Justyn Ross as returned to the team after spending six weeks on the Commissioners Exempt List for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He has three receptions in this, his rookie season.
James also has missed a large chunk of the season (eight games) with a knee injury suffered in Week 2. The Chiefs need more from the position, and James has something most others on the roster don’t: a track record of production.
Last year with the Giants, James caught 57 passes with four touchdowns. In his limited time with Kansas City, however, James has thus far caught four passes in eight targets.
“I think he’s done a great job with the opportunities that he has had,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “You’ve seen he’s able to catch the ball, get vertical, break tackles, be in the right spot at the right time ... He offers a different skill-set. He’s a veteran guy that knows where he needs to be at the right time.”
Here’s who else — and what else — to watch when the Chiefs meet the Raiders on Monday at noon:
Raiders player to watch: defensive end Malcolm Koonce
The third-year pro is having his best season and coming off a two-sack game against the Los Angeles Chargers. That doubles his career total. The Raiders’ pass rush has been much improved over last season, when they finished with an NFL-last 27 sacks. Vegas is up to 36 this season. Koonce also was credited with two forced fumbles in last week’s 63-21 rout.
Chiefs player to watch: cornerback L’Jarius Sneed
The veteran corner is having his best season and should be part of any postseason-honors conversation. Sneed has been the most targeted cornerback (72) without surrendering a touchdown and has allowed a completion percentage of 52.8 on balls thrown his way.
“This year, he’s taken it up even another level,” Chiefs secondary coach Dave Merritt said. “If he’s not the best press corner in the league, he should be considered as one of the the top two. And I don’t see him as a No. 2.”
Special teams player to watch: Raiders punter A.J. Cole
One of the NFL’s biggest boomers, Cole averages 51.5 yards per punt, second in the league, and shares honors for the longest punt of the season — 83 yards. His worst game of the year came against the Chiefs a month ago, when he punted three times for a 39-yard average.
Avoiding the MOBPs
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said the team has a category for plays that almost result in a turnover or sack: Missed Opportunities for Big Plays (MOBP).
Those are plays like knocking a ball loose but not recovering the fumble. And the Chiefs have stacked up their missed opportunities. They’re minus-8 in turnover margin, with eight more interceptions and fumbles than takeaways.
That’s tied for 30th in the NFL.
“It hasn’t fallen our way yet,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re hoping to get a few of those.”
