Chiefs defense gets good news before practice for Week 8 ‘Monday Night Football’ game vs. the Commanders even begins
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will have a full practice week to prepare for Commanders backup QB Marcus Mariota.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense won’t have to face the NFL’s reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year on “Monday Night Football” in Week 8.
Washington Commanders second-year QB Jayden Daniels suffered a low-grade hamstring strain late in the Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Multiple reports indicate that he will be ruled out for the “Monday Night Football” game against the Chiefs for precautionary reasons. Commanders backup QB Marcus Mariota will get the start in his place.
News that Daniels has been ruled out this early ahead of the Monday night game is good for the Chiefs’ defense. While this team will never shy away from competition, they’ll now have a whole practice week to prepare for Marcus Mariota, whom they already know well.
Chiefs will face Commanders QB Marcus Mariota in Week 8 on ‘Monday Night Football’
The last time the Chiefs faced Mariota as a starter was in the 2017 NFL playoffs, where the Tennessee Titans defeated the Alex Smith and Bob Sutton-era Chiefs, 22-21, in the AFC Wild Card round. Fans will remember that as the game where Mariota had a pass batted back to himself and ran it in for a fluky touchdown. They’ve since faced Mariota three times, but only as a backup quarterback (2020 with the Titans and 2021 twice with the Las Vegas Raiders).
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota Quick Facts:
- Won a Heisman Trophy with the Oregon Ducks in 2014.
- No. 2 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2015.
- Has a 2-0 record as a starter vs. Kansas City in his career.
The defensive game plan doesn’t change significantly for Mariota compared to Jayden Daniels, as they’re both mobile quarterbacks. In replacing the injured Daniels in Week 7 against the Cowboys, Mariota had an abysmal performance. Going 4-of-10 passing for 63 yards and an interception. Mariota has started two games for Washington so far this season, boasting a 1-1 record against the Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons. That said, he’s not completed more than 16 passing attempts in a single game this season. He’s also turned the ball over once in each game he has played in. Going against what is currently the league’s No. 5 scoring defense in Kansas City will be the biggest challenge yet for Mariota.
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