It’s time to go through the LEAGUE OVERVIEW as we head into week 12. Let’s take a look at where things stand…
HEADING INTO WEEK 12 …
The CINCINNATI BENGALS lead the USFFL in Pass Offense at 324.7 yards per game.
The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES lead the USFFL in Rush Offense at 186.1 yards per game.
The DETROIT LIONS and LAS VEGAS RAIDERS lead the USFFL in Fewest Sacks Allowed, at 5!
The DETROIT LIONS lead the USFFL in Scoring Offense at 31.9 points per game.
The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS lead the USFFL in OFFENSE at 420.3 yards per game.
The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS lead the USFFL in Pass Defense at 167.3 yards allowed per game.
The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS lead the USFFL in Rush Defense at 97.3 yards allowed per game.
The SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS lead the USFFL in defensive sacks with 26!
The DENVER BRONCOS lead the USFFL in Scoring Defense allowing 16.9 points per game.
The SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS lead the USFFL in DEFENSE at 276.6 yards allowed per game.
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE UPDATED DIVISIONAL SNAPSHOTS…
AND FINALLY, LET’S LOOK AT OUR PLAYOFF STANDINGS UPDATED FOR WEEK 12 …
Game of the Week
CHIEFS HOLD OFF CHARGERS (35-32) FOR THIRD STRAIGHT VICTORY
The Chargers opened the game with their patented squib kick, but it was not the best effort from the PK and the Chiefs opened the game at their own 40-yard line. Just five plays later the Chiefs scored on a short 1-yard dive from tailback Jerrick McKinnon. The Chiefs elected to go for the 2-point conversion, but failed, settling for a quick 6-0 lead. The Chargers opening drive would stall on 4th and 6 at the KC 39-yard line, forcing a punt. The Chiefs would then go 3-and-out, and the Chargers would follow up with the same, punting again. On their 3rd possession, the Chiefs go 14 plays and 6 first downs on their march to an eventual 11-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Kadarius Toney, giving the Chiefs a 13-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter. On the Chargers next possession, it looked like the Chiefs were about to get off the field with another 3-and-out. But on 3rd and 12, Justin Herbert connected with Keenan Allen on a deep pass for 62 yards and an immediate red zone opportunity. Two plays later, Herbert would hit Gerald Everett on a dump pass and the tight end would dash 14 yards for the touchdown, to cut the Chiefs lead to 13-7. The Chiefs answered immediately, 10 plays and 85 yards on a drive that ended with a 5-yard TD pass to Skyy Moore with 6 minutes remaining prior to halftime. The Chiefs tried to chase points and go for 2-points again…. And the Chargers once again made the stop. Despite 3 touchdowns, the Chiefs lead was 19-7. Chargers strike quickly with a TD drive of their own, ending with a 5-yard scoring pass to Keenan Allen that cut the KC lead to 19-14. The Chiefs would add a 52-yard field goal just before halftime, and it was 22-14 Chiefs at intermission.
Both teams would punt quickly on their opening possessions of the second half. On the Chargers’ 2nd possession of the 3rd quarter, they marched with four first downs into Chiefs territory but stalled on an incomplete pass on 3rd and 3 from the KC 25. Trailing by 8, the Chargers took the field goal and cut the lead to 22-17. This field goal was followed by four straight TD drives, as the Chargers kept cutting it back to a one-score game, only to have the Chiefs answer each time. Mahomes 4th touchdown pass of the game went to Travis Kelce at the 2:24 mark of the 4th quarter and gave the Chiefs another 2-score lead at 35-24 (after a missed PAT by Butker). The missed PAT loomed large as an opportunity for the Chargers to exploit (along with the other missed conversions). And indeed, a quick Chargers touchdown of 21 yards from Herbert to Donald Parham and a successful 2-point conversion cut the lead to 3 points with 45 seconds remaining. But the home team could not get the onsides kick, and the Chiefs were able to drain the remaining clock and get out of town with the win.
Both teams were able to run the ball with great success in this one. Chiefs tailback Isiah Pacheco was lights out in the first half and ended with 14 carries and 104 rush yards, his 2nd straight week over 100. Mahomes added another 68 rush yards on scrambles. Chargers rusher Austin Ekeler was cutting into the Chiefs defense all day and ended with 149 rush yards on 23 carries. The Chiefs have won 3 straight games and improve to 7-3 on the year. Next week they return to Arrowhead to host the other team from the City of Angels, as the Los Angeles Rams (4-5) come to town. The Chargers fall to 4-6 on the year, putting the defending USFFL Champs 3 games behind the division leader. The Chargers travel to the desert next week for a matchup with the Arizona Cardinals (2-8).