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On Football: Crafty Chiefs keep winning despite Mahomes’ struggles and injuries
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On Football: Crafty Chiefs keep winning despite Mahomes’ struggles and injuries

On Football breaks down the biggest topics in the NFL week by week. To learn more about football analytics, visit here.

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Patrick Mahomes is having his worst season statistically and the Chiefs continue to lose playmakers to injuries.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions are 6-0 anyway.

Kansas City is the NFL’s only undefeated team after a ugly 28-18 win over San Francisco in a Super Bowl rematch on Sunday that looked more like a preseason game.

Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, threw two picks and posted a career-worst passer rating of 44.4 against the 49ers, but he made enough plays, including a nifty 33-yard run, to lead the Chiefs to to lead the top. their 12th win in a row, dating from last year.

Mahomes has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six) this season and a career-low 82.5 passer rating. But a stingy defense and strong play paved the way for Kansas City, which lost receivers Jaylen Watson and JuJu Smith-Schuster to injuries in the last win.

The Chiefs are already without No. 1 receiver Rashee Rice and top running back Isiah Pacheco plus Marquise “Hollywood” Brown have yet to play.

Still, the Chiefs keep winning. It’s a tribute to coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

“It’s about us getting better throughout the year and how we can continue to get better from our last game until now,” Travis Kelce said. “There are a lot of doubts about what we can do offensively now with the guys we have and I think we showed everyone that we can score points today.”

Unlike Kansas City, Brock Purdy and the 49ers (3-4) have not overcome a slew of injuries to several key players. They have been inconsistent, error-prone and hardly resemble the team that reached the NFC title game in each of the past three seasons.

Purdy threw three interceptions against Kansas City and had a career-worst passer rating of 36.7.

Now the 49ers are dealing with another big blow. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a knee injury that coach Kyle Shanahan fears is a season-ending torn ligament. Deebo Samuel was limited to four snaps against Kansas City due to an illness and Jauan Jennings was sidelined with a hip injury. All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey has not played this season.

“Is there more pressure on me to put on a Superman cape and do more? No,” Purdy said. “I think who we have and the players we have that are stepping up in those positions, they’ve done a great job and we have a lot of talent in my eyes. That’s up to me and we will all continue to grow and fight on this journey together.”

Injury-filled week 7

Deshaun Watson seems ready for the season. Jayden Daniels’ sensational rookie year is on hold. Aidan O’Connell is also gone.

There were several serious injuries throughout the competition.

Watson appeared to have torn his Achilles tendon during Cleveland’s loss to Cincinnati. The Browns (1-6) made the playoffs last year after Watson was out for the season, but they don’t have a chance this season.

Daniels, who is having an exceptional rookie season, injured his ribs during Washington’s loss to Carolina. Daniels is scheduled for testing on Monday, but the NFC East-leading Commanders (5-2) should get him back at some point.

O’Connell left his first start of the season due to a thumb injury and the Raiders lost to the Rams. He will be out indefinitely when Las Vegas (2-5) reverts to Gardner Minshew.

Statement made

The NFC North still passes through Detroit.

Jared Goff had another great game, leading the Lions (5-1) to a 31-29 win at Minnesota, handing the Vikings their first loss of the season.

Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs were sensational in the NFC North showdown and Detroit’s defense stepped up in the first game without Aidan Hutchinson.

Russian cooked

Many analysts, including former players, questioned Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Russell Wilson after Justin Fields helped the Steelers go 4-2.

Wilson silenced the doubters with an impressive performance in his Pittsburgh debut.

Wilson shook off early rust in his first start since Dec. 24 last year, throwing for 264 yards and two touchdowns, running for a score and posting a 109.0 passer rating to lead the Steelers (5-2) to a 37 -15 win over the Steelers. Jets from New York.

Wilson, who lacks Fields’ speed and scrambling ability, threw several perfect deep balls and lobs to George Pickens and other receivers.

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AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl