Kansas City Chiefs DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night in Week 14. The veteran quarterback passed for 306 yards and a touchdown in last week's close victory against another divisional opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders brought the ball within field goal range and had a chance to take the lead but fumbled a snap in the final minute. The 29-year-old will have a more challenging time producing against the Chargers, who rank ninth in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season. The Chargers are currently the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture, meaning they're a good team and determined to give Kansas City a run for their money. Mahomes only has two games over 20 fantasy points in a four-point per passing touchdown league this season, so he has been disappointing from a ceiling standpoint. That said, Mahomes has managed to stay turnover-free in four of his last five contests and passed for three touchdowns in three of those games. The Chiefs quarterback is ranked QB7 in our RotoBaller rankings this week, making him a mid-tier QB1. Fantasy managers can feel comfortable with Mahomes in their starting lineups, even if he doesn't possess the elite ceiling we've grown accustomed to.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) suffered an injury on Friday which puts him in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hardman reportedly had his knee lock up on him before Friday's practice. The 26-year-old now appears to be questionable ahead of this weekend's contest. His absence doesn't mean too much for this offense considering Hardman hasn't recorded a reception since Week 11. Although, Hardman is an excellent member on special teams, so his absence would certainly hurt there.

According to head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (knee) could return to action in Week 15. It's excellent timing for the Chiefs, who just put kicker Spencer Shrader (hamstring) on Injured Reserve and had Matthew Wright taking kicks against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13. While Butker is still on IR and won't make an appearance for this weekend's outing against the Las Angeles Chargers, it does appear he could be able to return when he's eligible in Week 15. Fortunately, Wright and Shrader have been serviceable in the 29-year-old's stead. However, Kansas City could undoubtedly use their top leg back for the season's final stretch.

The Kansas City Chiefs placed kicker Spencer Shrader (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and signed kicker Matthew Wright to the 53-man active roster in a corresponding move. Shrader will be required to miss at least the next four games, meaning he won't be eligible to return until the Week 18 regular-season finale in Denver against the division-rival Broncos. Shrader was initially signed when the team put regular kicker Harrison Butker (knee) on IR, but he only made it two games with the Chiefs before getting injured himself. Butker will be eligible to come off IR in Week 15 to face the Cleveland Browns, so Wright could only stick around in KC for another week. Last week in the win over the Raiders, Wright made four of his five field-goal attempts and his only extra point. He'll be on the streaming radar on Sunday night against the Chargers in fantasy.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown (shoulder) has an appointment with his surgeon in Week 15 to get final clearance to play, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Assuming he is cleared, Brown will return to the field in either Week 16 or Week 17, making his long-awaited season debut and Chiefs debut. The 27-year-old would presumably slot as the Chiefs' No. 3 receiver behind Xavier Worthy and DeAndre Hopkins, but Brown's big-play ability and potential rapport with Patrick Mahomes could give him some low-end fantasy value over the last few weeks of the season. Last year in Arizona, Brown contributed 51 catches, 574 yards, and four touchdowns over 14 games.