Jerick McKinnon Poised to Exploit One Huge Bears Weakness

Sep 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) runs with the ball with Jacksonville Jaguars corner back Tyson Campbell (32) guarding during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) runs with the ball with Jacksonville Jaguars corner back Tyson Campbell (32) guarding during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago is off to a miserable start this season punctuated by off-field issues this week and not much to cheer for on-the-field.

Kansas City is a massive favorite, though one Chiefs player is poised for a HUGE game based on one critical defensive weakness for the Bears.

Jerick McKinnon is off to a slow start with just one carry and four catches through two weeks, but this is his perfect get-right spot.

Jerick McKinnon Set for Breakout Game

With Isiah Pacheco banged up and Clyde Edwards-Helaire generally ineffective, Kansas City should lean more heavily on the versatile McKinnon, particularly in the passing game.

No NFL team is giving up more receiving yards per game to running backs (66.5) than the Bears, continuing a trend from last season in which halfbacks routinely demolished them.

Defensive coordinator Alan Williams abruptly resigned this week, making matters worse for an already dreadful unit. Chicago has one of the league’s worst defensive lines and a poor linebacking crew, giving McKinnon, Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs offense plenty of avenues to attack.

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After calling only two designed runs in the first half last week, I expect Andy Reid and Matt Nagy to get the backfield more heavily involved against Chicago. There’s a gigantic talent gap between these teams and the Chiefs won’t have to get too creative to win the game.

McKinnon’s snap count has remained high despite the uninspiring statistics, and he’s dominating third-down work and snaps in the two-minute drill. His involvement is coming one way or another – it might as well be in a matchup tailor-made for his skillset.

I’m targeting McKinnon receiving props and even like him as an Anytime TD Scorer bet. When you’re on the field in passing situations as much as Jerick, you’ll break through sooner or later.

For my money, this is the week.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.