The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to get back on the winning track when they host the New York Jets in Week 9. While the Chiefs are 10-point favorites and should be able to handle the struggling visitors without a problem, Kansas City (5-2) has dropped its last two games in rather painful fashion.
The Jets are 2-6 this season and have lost their last three games.
The Chiefs were beaten by the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos after starting the season with a 5-0 record. The Seahawks used a stifling defense to shut down Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense, and the Chiefs absorbed a 20-3 defeat.
Their Week 8 loss to the Broncos was more painful. The Chiefs had a 24-13 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Broncos scored two late touchdowns and came away with a 28-24 triumph.
Mahomes is hoping that the Kansas City offense can hit its full stride against the Jets. The quarterback received positive news at Thursday's practice, because tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Rashee Rice were both full participants.
Kelce had been listed with an ankle issue and he had been a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Rice has hamstring and knee problems that had limited his participation 24 hours earlier. However, neither player was slowed at the Thursday session.
Kelce and Rice are the Chiefs' two most productive receivers. Kelce leads the way with 29 receptions for 410 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has been targeted 43 times by the star quarterback. Rice has caught 20 of 24 targets for 243 yards and has also scored 2 touchdowns.