SportsBeat KC

The Chiefs are 2-0 after their thrilling one-point victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but they are not without concerns. Running back Isiah Pacheco is lost for an extended time with an ankle injury, and left tackle Kingsley Suamataia played so poorly last weekend he was benched.At running back, the Chiefs signed their former standout Kareem Hunt. We address why that might not be the best moveWe discuss those storylines and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell. We also look ahead to the Chiefs’ first road game, against the Atlanta Falcons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the length of a toe, the Chiefs clinched an opening night victory over the Baltimore Ravens and now look ahead to a Week 2 encounter with the Cincinnati Bengals.On SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Sam McDowell break down the dramatic triumph with an emphasis on the performances of wide receiver Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy plus offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.What worked for the Chiefs, and what are the concerns heading into Sunday’s game against the last team to defeat them in a postseason game? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs’ 65th season with the prospect of making NFL history. The team will attempt to become the first to win three straight Super Bowls. It starts on Thursday with a banner-raising home game against the Baltimore Ravens.Do the Chiefs have what it takes to accomplish the unprecedented feat? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian to discuss the Chiefs’ prospects, starting with the Thursday night opener against the Baltimore Ravens.The Chiefs are the Super Bowl favorite, but they enter the season with questions. We explore all angles of the NFL’s top team on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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As the final preseason game for the Chiefs approaches, the battles intensify for the roster spots. On this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Vahe Gregorian discuss what factors are considered when arriving at the 53-man roster.The Chiefs play host to the Chicago Bears on Thursday at Arrowhead, and neither teams starters are expected to play. But in some ways it will be the most dramatic game of the preseason.Which positions groups have the most and least clarity? And is it possible the Chiefs could look outside their roster to find answers at certain positions? Who is on the bubble? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Chiefs preseason game down, two to go. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, we review the Chiefs’ loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting with the running back position.It seemed easy in the preseason with Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire leading the way. But the picture isn’t as clear now with Edwards-Helaire missing several practices with illness and the emergence of undrafted rookie Carson Steele.Also, we break down other positions like defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver. The next game, at Arrowhead against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, should provide more answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The quest for a third straight Super Bowl and fourth in six years begins for the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday with the preseason opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars.There is plenty familiar about these Chiefs, starting with stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones, but there is much to discover.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss what they’re more looking forward to seeing from the Chiefs this weekend. Position battles, new faces, new schemes and even a new kickoff rule.And there can’t be a Chiefs discussion without commenting on the wide receivers. We don’t always agree on how this position group will shake out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Missouri Tigers are coming off their best season under Eli Drinkwitz and are poised for even more success.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Sam McDowell discusses what went right for Mizzou in a season that finished with a Cotton Bowl triumph over Ohio State and No. 8 final ranking and what could be in store for the Tigers.Also, Coach Eli Drinkwitz shares his thoughts on this season when he met with reporters at SEC Media Days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full-squad training camp is underway for the Chiefs, but discussion around the team’s future home never stopped.Renovate Arrowhead Stadium or build a new structure? In Missouri or Kansas?On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Sam McDowell and beat writer Jesse Newell analyze the decisions confronting the Chiefs after chairman and CEO Clark Hunt addressed the stadium issue Monday at Missouri Western in St. Joe.Also, early training camp talk has focused most often on one player: rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, whose dynamic reception on a deep pass from Patrick Mahomes provided a strong indication of what the Chiefs want from their offense this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four Royals players contributed to the American League’s 5-3 victory over the National League in baseball’s 94th All-Star Game played in Arlington, Tex. Starting pitchers Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo each pitched a scoreless inning and they took the field with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., and catcher Salvador Perez.On SportsBeat KC, the Star’s sports podcast, Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson discusses the Royals’ performance in the midsummer classic and what lies ahead for the team that has played beyond expectations so far this season.We discuss the recent draft and first-round pick, Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone, the trade that brought Washington Nationals reliever Hunter Harvey to Kansas City and how the bullpen may be reshaped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Big 12 sure looks different these days. This week, 16 schools brought football players and coaches to Las Vegas for the league’s annual media days. Newcomers Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Arizona State participated. Founding members Oklahoma and Texas did not, having shipped off to the SEC.But there is something familiar about the league. Kansas State is expected to be good, again. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett broke down the 2024 Wildcats, along with the remainder of the Big 12 and believes K-State should be one of the league’s top two years, which would put it in the conference championship game.Also, are the Wildcats poised to become the Big 12’s new power broker, with the Sooners and Longhorns gone? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the late 1970s into the 1980, Tom Watson dominated golf. Five British Open championships among his eight major titles and 39 PGA Tour titles -- not to mention six major titles on the Champions Tour -- rank him among the game’s greatest ever.And he’s Kansas City’s own. Born and raised here, Watson has always called Kansas City home. In a conversation with The Star, Watson emphasized his local roots and explained how being from the Heartland could be an advantage on the Tour.He covers a range of topics on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, including the most important victory of his career (It’s not one of the majors), what Jack Nicklaus said to him near the final moments of the dramatic 1977 British Open championship known as the “Dual in the Sun,” and what prompted him to become a professional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s less rest for the Super Bowl champion, which plays the final game of the previous season and the first of the next. But no complaints from the Chiefs, who squeezed in a White House visit and ring ceremony around their off-season workouts.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell puts a bow on the off-season and tackles the impending decisions at such positions as wide receiver and left tackle. And which rookies could make an immediate impact.How do the two-time Super Bowl champion Chiefs set up for the three-peat quest? It begins next month when training camp begins at Missouri Western State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has Sporting Kansas City reached a pivot point similar to last year? The club can only hope said. After an awful start in 2023, Sporting rallied with a super second half that continued with a spirited playoff run.This season? After a somewhat encouraging start, Sporting dropped seven straight to drop into last place. Like last year, Sporting ended its woes with a victory over Seattle, and now we’ll see if history can repeat itself.Star columnist Sam McDowell breaks down the season, projects what changes may be coming and the status of manager Peter Vermes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only 16 teams remain in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, and one of them is Kansas State. For the second time in program history the Wildcats have reached the Super Regional. Find a way to win twice at Virginia this weekend and K-State’s Bat Cats will play at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., for the first time.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Kellis Robinett discusses how Kansas State reached this point Hint: It started when Coach Pete Hughes started putting together this season’s schedule.Also on the show, a first look at the college football season and the Big 12 without Texas and Oklahoma, and the implications for schools that will now share revenue with its athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often when a baseball record is set, it occurs during game with fanfare. Not this time. The integration of Negro Leagues statistics into Major League Baseball that has resulted in new leaders atop some lists, happened decades later, and determined by a committee.A Negro Leagues slugger, Josh Gibson, has surpassed Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb in a couple of batting categories, and some who started their career in the Negro Leagues before moving to MLB -- Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and others -- had numbers added to their stats.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss baseball’s move and its impact. You’ll also hear from Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick, who shared his thoughts on the development and answers questions at a news conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2014, the Royals were scuffling around the All-Star break, falling a couple of games under .500 and looking like the postseason drought, nearing three decades, would continue. But the Royals put together a sizzling second half and qualified for the playoffs.There, they made history, becoming the first team to win the first eight games of a postseason. The quest reached Game 7 of the World Series, where the Royals fell short to the San Francisco Giants and Madison Bumgarner.Last week, many of the players and coaches from 2014 returned to Kansas City for a reunion and celebration, and on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, you’ll hear from manager Ned Yost, first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Alex Gordon. All played major roles in the team’s success that year and the next when they finished the job by capturing the World Series.On this episode, the conversations stay mostly with the 2014 season and team, as Yost, Hoz, Moose and Gordo relive one of the Royals’ greatest seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only the NFL could turn its schedule announcement into an event. And we even know the opponents.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell previews the unveiling, and what’s known so far. The Chiefs first’ two games have been identified: home contests against the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. What does that mean for the rest of the slate?Also discussed: What move can the Chiefs made at wide receiver now that free agent Zay Jones has signed with the Arizona Cardinals; an appreciation for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has signed with the Buffalo Bills; impact of new kickoff rules; and do you prefer game shows or horror shows? Travis Kelce is involved with both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The winning continues for the Royals as baseball approaches the quarter pole of the season. We’re not longer waiting for the bottom to fall out on a team that dropped 106 games last year and has posted seven consecutive losing record records heading in 2024.The starting pitching has excelled. The defense is superb, and the Royals are getting enough offense the believe the success is sustainable. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Sam McDowell explain the surge and why it could develop into a playoff push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs’ 2024 draft class addressed needs, specifically at wide receiver and offensive tackle, and the team took some fliers on others. Did the Chiefs meet all their goals, and do more positions require more attention?On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell offers thoughts on all seven selections and looks ahead to how the group will blend with the the two-time defending Super Bowl champion. Who among the newcomers will be counted on immediately, and how will special teams factor in for some? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Annual Player Selection Meeting, or informally known as the NFL Draft, kicks off its three-day run on Thursday in Detroit. As Super Bowl champion, the Chiefs own picks No. 32 and 64 in the first two rounds, but there should be good depth at the positions of team needs, like wide receiver and offensive tackle.Will the Chiefs go there? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnist Sam McDowell provide insights into possibilities for the Chiefs. It might make sense to work a deal to trade up or move back.If the Chiefs stand pat, we provide names of possible draft targets, players we have identified in the Star’s mock drafts.The draft, and the undrafted free agent signings afterwards are this important: The backbone of last year’s team was homegrown, with 66 percent (35 of 53) of the roster comprised of Chiefs’ draft picks or undrafted free agents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quite the soccer scene in Kansas City last weekend. Sporting Kansas City took on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami before more than 72,000 last weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, and Messi’s performance lived up the hype in Miami’s 3-2 victory.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian look back at the event and what it means for a stadium and region that will host World Cup games in two years.Also, you’ll from Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes, who opened his postmatch press conference by remarking on the historic game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The baseball season is about two weeks old, and the Royals are still in it entering a three-game home series against the Houston Astros. The team is off to its best start in three years and it’s a refreshing change from recent seasons.The starting pitching has been outstanding and players like M.J Melendez, Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., are off to fast starts. On SportsBeat KC, beat writer Jaylon Thompson discusses the team’s solid start and what it will take for the Royals to keep up the pace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jackson County votes have spoken, and they said “no” to a new stadium for the Royals and upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, who covered the stadium tax campaign from the beginning, share their thoughts on why it failed and what’s next for the teams.The teams didn’t put together a winning game plan. Now the future of the teams in Jackson County comes into question.Story links:Sam McDowell: The Royals and Chiefs should blame themselves, not voters, for stadium tax failuresVahe Gregorian: After stadium tax whiff, Royals, Chiefs should heed message and work to earn trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On April 2, Jackson County residents will decide whether to approve a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund a new stadium for the Royals and provide upgrades at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.The tax expected to generate about $2 billion over 40 years. A “Yes,” vote means the Royals will move out of Kauffman Stadium and build a new stadium in the Crossroads District. The Chiefs will stay put and improve the fan experience at Arrowhead.A “No,” vote means...No one is certain, but columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian join host Blair Kerkhoff on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, to break down this generational decision. We discuss what the vote means for Kansas City and offer predictions on the outcome. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first wave of free agency has passed and the Chiefs were active. It actually started before the period opened when the two-time Super Bowl champion gave Chris Jones a record-setting contract.In free agency, the Chiefs came away with wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown as their big splash, while signing several defensive players in hopes of recreating the magic of the 2023 unit.The Chiefs aren’t finish. Running back and offense tackle remain positions of need. And what becomes of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who carries the franchise tag? Will the Chiefs seek a trade?Beat writer Jesse Newell breaks down the free agency work and looks ahead at what might happen next on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Kansas Jayhawks won their most recent battle. How will they fare in the postseason wars? On SportsBeat KC, The Star's sports podcast, beat writers Gary Bedore and Shreyas Laddha break down KU's victory over Kansas State and look ahead to postseason prospects.The Jayhawks, who entered the season as the nation's top-ranked team but has fallen to No. 14 in the latest poll, do many things well, as it showed in the in the victory over Kansas State earlier this week.,But it's also a team with fatal flaws. They've been good enough to defeat the nation's top teams, while losing to bottom teams in the Big 12 this season.KU hasn't missed a tournament since 1989. The program lives for March, but two years after winning the program's fourth NCAA title, can they made a deep run? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In two weeks, the Kansas City Current of the NWSL will open its season and new stadium. The following month, Sporting will play host to Miami and Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium. And the FIFA 2026 World Cup games are never far from mind.But on this SportsBeat KC podcast, we discuss Sporting Kansas City. Columnist Vahe Gregorian and beat writer Daniel Sperry are joined by special guest Nate Bukaty, a co-host on SportsRadio 810 WHB and now a member of the MLS national soccer broadcast team for Apple TV and Fox.We discuss Sporting’s season prospects, plus what it will mean to have Messi come to Kansas City.After a break, you’ll hear from Sporting manager Peter Vermes and captain Johnny Russell, who shares among other things, what he enjoys most about being a Chiefs season ticket holder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One final official act of the Kansas City Chiefs LVIII championship remains: Wednesday’s parade. After that, it’s on to 2024.On SportsBeat KC, The KC Star’s sports podcast recorded about 24 hours after the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers, beat writer Jesse Newell discusses the game and some of its unsung heroes and the decision by the 49ers to take the ball first in overtime.We also look at the three-peat quest and legacy of Patrick Mahomes, and what lies ahead for the Chiefs roster.Some big decisions await for the team and some of the players, like Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed. On what we call the final show for the 2023 season, we break it all down in the afterglow of a third championship in five year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs bid for their third Super Bowl championship in five years, while the San Francisco 49s look to avenge their loss to Kansas City in the big game four years ago.Both teams make strong cases to feel confident about victory. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the game and make the case for both teamsThe 49ers are a slight favorite. But the Chiefs have been the more impressive team in the postseason. Patrick Mahomes is the game’s top quarterback. San Francisco’s Brock Purdy has been sensational in his second year.We discuss it all on this episode from Las Vegas, the site of Super Bowl LVIII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs have had a more impressive path to the Super Bowl than the San Francisco 49ers, with Kansas City winning twice on the road. Their most recent common opponent is the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs beat them for the AFC championship last week, the 49ers lost them at home late in the regular season.So why are the Chiefs underdogs in Super Bowl LVIII. Beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell explain on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.We also discuss some of the Chiefs heroes of the postseason, some you’d expect, and some surprises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last season the Chiefs didn’t play in the AFC Championship Game (2017), a solar eclipse passed over Kansas City. It’s been nothing but football sunshine since then.Sunday, the Chiefs travel to the Baltimore Ravens with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs got here by winning at the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell along with columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down this week’s showdown, discuss last weekend’s dramatic triumph, and argue about the penalty for fumbling the ball out of bounds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs season lives. They’ve reached the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs and will visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after defeating the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round last weekend.We break down the matchup on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell.A defense that shut down Tyreek Hill and the Miami offense will have its hands full taking on Josh Allen and the Bills, who defeated the Chiefs during the regular season. But recent postseason history favors Kansas City. The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have won two playoff games against the Bills in the previous three seasons.Those games were at Arrowhead. This one will be in Buffalo and will be Mahomes’ first true road playoff game in six seasons. Are he and the Chiefs up to the task? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a No. 3 seed, the Chiefs have their worst playoff starting position since Patrick Mahomes became the quarterback in 2018. That likely means they’ll have their most difficult path, beginning with Saturday’s home game against the Miami Dolphins.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian break down the Chiefs chances and discuss the matchup that includes a return to Kansas City for Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.Which Chiefs team shows up in what’s supposed to be frigid conditions? The one that seemed to find its offensive rhythm two weeks ago against the Cincinnati Bengals and have played rugged defense all season, or the one that can’t avoid the giveaways?No better time than the playoffs for the Chiefs to find the best version of themselves.Story link:How the Chiefs playoff path to the Super Bowl just got a lot tougher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The eighth straight AFC West is clinched, and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance assured. But one game remains in the regular season. How do Andy Reid and the Chiefs play it?Look for the Chiefs to rest starters against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Why would that be important? Columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian along with beat writer Jesse Newell and repoter Pete Grathoff explain.Also, we dive into the important of righting the ship in Sunday’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs fell behind by double digits before rallying for the victory. Championship hats and t-shirts were presented after the game, but the Chiefs will seek bigger rewards when the playoffs begin.Story link:Why the Chiefs, locked into the No. 3 seed, are in a perfect spot ahead of Week 18https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article283722298.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Mistakes doomed the Chiefs in their loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but one -- a penalty against wide receiver Kadarius Toney -- got more attention than the others.Offensive offside was the flag against Toney, and it wiped out a touchdown that started as a pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce and finished with Toney racing to the end zone after taking a lateral from Kelce.But the go-ahead touchdown with about 90 seconds remaining didn’t count, and the Chiefs couldn’t recover.Beat writer Jesse Newell, and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discuss all aspects of the play, the call and reaction on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast.Story link:We’re debating the wrong question on the flag against Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In some ways, the Chiefs’ loss at the Green Bay Packers was their most troubling of the season. The offense couldn’t finish drives with touchdowns in the red zone early. The defense, so good throughout the year, allowed the Packers to score on five of seven possessions. More problems in the passing game, and a bad play on a momentum-turning interception by Patrick Mahomes.We discuss all of it and more, including the importance of Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills with The Star crew that regularly covers the Chiefs, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian.The home stretch of the regular season has arrived. Can the Chiefs return to the form a team that’s played in the last five AFC Championship Games and won two Super Bowls?Story link:Why Skyy Moore slowed down his route on late interception Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took a few series to get going, but the Chiefs put away the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and solved a few issues in the process.It had been a month since the Chiefs had scored in the second half. That streak ended. And the Chiefs were very good in short-yardage situations. Wide receiver Rashee Rice had a breakout game. The Chiefs kept the penalties down and didn’t commit a turnover.Good stuff all around from a team that fell behind by two touchdowns.We discuss all of it on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell.Story link:Rashee Rice received this compliment from Andy Reid after career day vs. Raiders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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With the first half of the season behind them, who has been the Chiefs’ top defensive player? Most improved player? Best newcomer?In this episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the first half of the season through those categories.As you might imagine, the emphasis is on the defense.Also, we single out a couple of plays from the Chiefs’ most recent game, their victory over the Miami Dolphins in Germany last weekend: one by the Chiefs’ defense and one by the Chiefs’ offense.Those plays have helped define the Chiefs season,Story link:What we learned about Chiefs victory over the Miami Dolphins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How bad was last weekend’s loss to the Denver Broncos? The Star’s Chiefs writers count the ways on the latest episode of SportsBeat KC podcast.Beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian broke down the 24-9 loss, especially the offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.The Chiefs’ next challenge is daunting, a trip to Frankfurt, Germany, to take on the Miami Dolphins. Both teams have 6-2 records and a spotlight will fall on Tyreek Hill, the Delphins wide receiver who won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs.Story link:The Chiefs want to talk turnovers. Their problems stretched far beyond that in Denver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs are off to a 6-1 start and have basic offensive and defensive numbers that rank among the NFL’s best. So, how does this team stack up to last year’s Super Bowl champion?Columnist Vahe Gregorian’s response on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, might surprise you. We talk about how the position groups compare between seasons, and what this season’s improved defense means for the Chiefs’ long term prospects.Also, we look at this week’s opponent, the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs not only have won 16 straight in the series, they haven’t lost in Denver since 2014. We put the Chiefs dominance of the rivalry in historic context.Story link:How to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: kickoff time, TV, betting odds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs have been grinding on offense, at least by their standards. Heading into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, they rank ninth in points and fourth in total yards.And yet...The Chiefs share the best record in the NFL at 5-1 heading into Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell break down the Chiefs offense and how it can improve in short yardage situations, and when it comes to throwing the deep ball.Defensively, a stout unit figures to get even better as lineman Charles Omenihu rejoins the team after serving a suspension. But what about Frank Clark? Should the Chiefs find a roster spot for the former defensive end?Story link:The Chiefs’ most pressing issue needs a savior, and Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been ithttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article280457854.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t exactly pulverizing opponents, but they keep finding ways to win. The Chiefs look to make it five straight when the Denver Broncos visit on Thursday Night Football.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Jesse Newell, discuss what’s working for the Chiefs and where improvements can be made. We look ahead to the Broncos, who are off to an awful start at 1-4 and having major issues on defense.Also, former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., joins SportsBeat KC for a conversation. An All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl player, Harris spent nine seasons in Denver, inlcuding the Super Bowl championship season of 2015. He describes what he sees with the Broncos defense.On a happier note, Harris shares his observations by recent football success of his alma mater, Kansas.Story link:How to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos: Kickoff time, TV, betting odds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No AFC team has a better record than the Chiefs at 3-1, and they’re taking a three-game winning streak to Minnesota on Sunday.But wind doesn’t seem to be in the Chiefs’ sails after a 23-20 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football. Uneven play on both sides marked the triumph, and one position group continues to come under scrutiny, the wide receivers.On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian, along with beat writer Jesse Newell, break down the group and how improvements can happen.Also, the defense continued its mostly stellar play but at times had trouble handling the Jets passing game. The Vikings are 1-3 but have had success in the passing game. Catch it all on SportsBeat KC.Story link:Patrick Mahomes’ final scramble was supposed to be a pass to this teammate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a blowout victory there was quite the commotion surrounding the Chiefs’ 41-10 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Call it the Taylor Swift affect.There was Swift, sitting next to Travis Kelce’s mother during the game, and the pop star and tight end walked out of Arrowhead together afterwards. As if the defending Super Bowl champion needs more attention.Ready or not, they’re about to get it, and we discuss that and football on this edition of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, with beat writer Jesse Newell.There are plenty of Chiefs topics to cover, and we get into the importance of establishing the run, having the makings of an excellence defense and much more. Oh, and are NFL officials picking on Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the Chiefs won the first Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes, the team made him the game’s highest paid player. History has repeated itself. Mahomes, coming off his next Super Bowl triumph, has a restructured deal that pushes him back to the top of the earnings list.On SportsBeat KC, Star columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the new agreement and its importance to Mahomes and the Chiefs. We also break down the Chiefs’ 17-9 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, an effort that was led by the defense, and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Chicago Bears.Story link:Patrick Mahomes has a restructured deal with the Chiefs. Here are the detailshttps://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article279481654.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time since 2010, Kansas State will visit Missouri on Saturday in a meeting of former Big Eight/Big 12 rivals, and the setting should bring back some happy memories for former Wildcats coach Bill Snyder. His teams won six of nine meetings played on Faurot Field.After engineering one of the greatest program turnarounds in college football history, Snyder stepped down from his Hall of Fame career after the 2018 season. He recently sat down with The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff to discuss his life in football, how he came to K-State, some of the remarkable players and games in program history and more. The conversation is presented in a podcast and Q&A.There’s another Snyder connection to Saturday’s game: He attended Missouri...briefly. Snyder grew up in St. Joseph, and looked to play football for the Tigers. It didn’t work out and after a year he enrolled at William Jewell, where the seeds were planted for an incredible coaching tenure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices