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Stephen Vilardo’s NFL West Week 2 Game Notes

A few notes and numbers for the AFC and NFC West games this week


  By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports

September 15, 2022



Last week Kansas City became the sixth team in the Super Bowl era to win eight consecutive season-opening games as they opened the season with a win in Arizona.

In that win, Patrick Mahomes recorded his sixth career game with at least five touchdown passes, tying for the fourth-most such games in NFL history.

Justin Herbert opened the season with his 14th career game with at least three touchdown passes, for the third-most such games by a player in his first three career seasons in NFL history.

This week the two of them get things started on Thursday Night. Here are a few notes and numbers for the AFC and NFC West games this week.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Los Angles Chargers (1-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-0)
5:15 PM ET |TV Prime Video: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung 
All-time Regular Season Series: Chiefs lead series, 65-57-1


Los Angeles Chargers

  • Justin Herbert threw for 279 yards & 3 TDs with 0 INTs for a 129.4 rating last week, his 9th-career game with 3+ TD passes & 0 INTs, tied with Patrick Mahomes for most-ever by player in their 1st 3 seasons.
  • Herbert has 13 TDs (10 pass, 3 rush) and 2 INTs for a 108.3 rating in 4 career games vs. KC. Is looking for his 9th in row vs. AFC West with 2+ TD passes. Aims for his 6th in a row on road with 300+ pass yards.
  • Austin Ekeler had 72 scrimmage yards (36 rush, 36 rec.) in Week 1. Aims for his 4th in row vs. KC with a TD & he has a TD in 8 of his past 9 vs. The division. Had 441 scrimmage yards (110.3 per game) & 9 TDs (5 rush, 4 rec.) in 4 primetime games last season.
  • Keenan Allen had 66 receiving yards last week. Has a TD catch in 4 of his past 5 vs. KC. In 3 career games on Thursday Night Football (TNF) has 3receiving touchdowns.
  • Mike Williams has at least 100+ rec. yards & TD catch in 2 of his past 3 vs. KC. Has a receiving TD in 2 of his past 3 vs. AFC West opponents.
  • Khalil Mack led the team with 3 sacks & had a FF last week in his Chargers debut, it was his 2nd career game with at least 3 sacks. Aiming for his 6th in row vs. KC with at least 0.5 sacks.
  • Joey Bosa had 1.5 sacks & a FF in Week 1. Had a sack & a FF in last meeting with the Chiefs. Bosa had at least 0.5 sacks in 6 of 7 road games last season & 5 of 6 division games. Aims for his 5th in row in primetime with sack & 3rd in row with a FF.
  • Asante Samuel Jr had an interception in his last game in Kansas City.

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Patrick Mahomes threw for 360 yards & 5 TDs with 0 INTs for a 144.2 rating in week 1, his 6th-career game with 5+ TD passes, tied for the 4th-most in NFL history. Passed for 410 yards & 3 TDs in last game against the Chargers & aims for his 3rd in row vs them with at least 3 TD passes. Has 9 TDs with 1 INT for a 114.3 rating in 4 career starts on Thursdays.
  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 74 scrimmage yards (42 rush, 32 rec.) & a career best 2 TD catches in Week 1. Rushed for 100 yards & with a receiving TD in last home game against the Chargers.
  • Isiah Pacheco ran for 62 yards & a TD last week in his NFL debut.
  • Travis Kelce led the Chiefs with 8 catches for 121 yards & a TD in Week 1, his 30th career game with at least 100 receiving yards, becoming the third TE ever (Rob Gronkowski & Tony Gonzalez) with 30+ such games. Had 10 catches for a career-high 191 yards with 2 TDs in last meeting & aims for his 4th in row vs. The Chargers with at least 90 receiving yards.
  • JuJu Smith-Schuster has had at least 50 yards and a TD in 2 of his last 3 on primetime.
  • Chris Jones has 4 sacks his past 2 on TNF.
  • Carlos Dunlap has 5.5 sacks & 2 FFs in 6 career games vs the Chargers.
Sunday, Sept. 18

Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
1:05 PM PT |TV FOX: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin 
All-time Regular Season series: Rams lead series 48-28-2

Atlanta Falcons
  • Marcus Mariota threw for 215 yards & ran for 72 yards & a TD in Week 1. It was his 4th career game with at least 50 rushing yards & a rushing TD. Threw for 275 yards in his only career start vs. the Rams (12/24/17 w/ Ten.).
  • Cordarrelle Patterson had 136 scrimmage yards (career-high 120 rush, 16 rec.) & ran for a TD last week. Had 676 scrimmage yards (75.1 per game) & 6 TDs (5 rush, 1 rec.) in 9 road games last season.
  • Drake London had 5 catches for 74 yards in NFL debut last week, most receiving yards among rookies in Week 1.
  • Olamide Zaccheaus is looking for his third game in a row with at least 40 receiving yards.
  • Kyle Pitts has had at least 50 receiving yards in 6 of his last 7 on the road.
  • AJ Tarrell had 13 PD & 2 INTs in 8 road games last season. Aims for his 5th in row on road with a PD.
  • Grady Jarrett had 1.5 sacks last week, his 5th-career game with at least 1.5 sacks. Has at least 5 tackles in 5 of his past 7 on the road.

Los Angeles Rams
  • Matthew Stafford threw for 240 yards in Week 1 & tied Drew Brees (183 games) for fewest games ever to reach 50,000 career pass yards. Has 2,589 pass yards (287.7 per game) & 22 TDs with 9 INTs for 102.2 rating in 9 home starts with the Rams. Has 1,555 passing yards (311 per game) in 5 career games vs. Atlanta.
  • Darrell Henderson has had at least 50 scrimmage yards in 5 of his last 6 at home.
  • Cooper Kupp tied his career high with 13 catches & had 128 yards & a TD last week. Has at least 5 catches in 22 straight games & can tie DeAndre Hopkins (23 from 2018-20) for second-longest such streak all-time. He has 10 receiving TDs in his past 10 at home. Aims for his 5th in row at home with at least 7 catches, 100 yards & receiving TD.
  • Allen Robinson has had a receiving TD in each of his last two vs Atlanta.
  • Aaron Donald recorded his 99th-career sack in Week 1. Has a sack in 4 of his past 5 at home & aims for his 4th in row at home with a TFL. Since 2014, he leads the NFL in sacks (99) & TFL (151). Had a sack, FF & FR in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Atlanta with a sack.
  • Bobby Wagner had 7 tackles & a sack in his Rams debut last week. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Atlanta with a TFL. Since 2012, Wagner leads the NFL with 1,384 tackles.

Seattle Seahawks (1-0) at San Francisco 49ers (0-1)
1:05 PM PT | TV FOX: Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink 
All-time Regular Season Series: Seahawks lead 29-17

Seattle Seahawks
  • Geno Smith completed 23 of 28 atts. (82.1%) for 195 yards & 2 TDs with 0 INTs for a 119.5 rating in Week 1, his 5th-career start with 80+ comp. Percentage & the highest rating among NFC QBs last week. Has a 115+ rating in each of his last 2 starts.
  • Rashaad Penny ran for 60 yards last week. Had 125+ rush yards & a TD in 2 of his final 3 road games in 2021.
  • DK Metcalf had a team-high 7 receptions in Week 1. Has 458 receiving yards (76.3 per game) & 4 receiving TDs in 6 career games vs. SF. Had a TD catch in last meeting.
  • Tyler Lockett is looking for his 3rd in row on the road with a TD catch & 4th in row on road with 95+ receiving yards.
  • Jordyn Brooks led Seattle with 12 tackles in Week 1 & has 11 games with 10+ tackles since 2021, the 3rd-most in the NFL. Had 106 tackles (11.9 per game) & 7 TFL in 9 road games last season & aims for his 7th in row on road with 10+ tackles.
  • Shelby Harris had a TFL last week. Had 2 PD in his last game vs. SF (12/9/18 w/ Den.).
  • Quandre Diggs had a TFL & his 5th-career FF last week. Had INT in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in a row vs. SF with INT.

San Francisco 49ers
  • Trey Lance totaled 218 yards (164 pass, 54 rush) in Week 1. Threw for 249 yards & 2 TDs with 1 INT for a 116 rating in his only career home start (10/3/21 vs. Hou.). Had 198 yards (157 pass, 41 rush) & 2 TDs for a 117.1 rating in last home meeting.
  • Jeff Wilson had 88 scrimmage yards (76 rush, 12 rec.) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.) in his last home game vs. Seattle.
  • Deebo Samuel had 66 scrimmage yards (52 rush, 14 rec.) & 12th-career rushing TD in Week 1. Had 754 scrimmage yards (94.3 per game) & 9 TDs (5 rec., 4 rush) in 8 home games last season. Has 247 scrimmage yards (134.7 per game) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) in 3 career games vs. Seattle. Aims for his 4th in row vs. The Seahawks with at least 5 catches & 100 receiving yards. Had 2 receiving TDs the last time they hosted Seattle.
  • Nick Bosa has 25.5 sacks in 36 career games. Had a sack in 3 of his final 4 home games in 2021. Had a sack & FF in last meeting & aims for his 3rd in row vs. Seattle with a sack.
  • Fred Warner had 74 tackles (9.3 per game) in 8 home games in 2021. Has 5 TFL in his past 5 vs. Seattle & is looking for his 3rd in row vs the Seahawks with at least 9 tackles.
  • Talanoa Hufanga led the 49ers with a career-high 11 tackles & had 1st-career INT in Week 1. He is 1 of 3 (Minkah Fitzpatrick & Marcus Williams) with at least 10 tackles & an INT last week.

Houston Texans (0-0-1) at Denver Broncos (0-1)
1:25 PM PT | TV CBS: Andrew Catalon, James Lofton, Michael Grady 
All-time Regular Season Series: Denver leads 5-3

Houston Texans
  • Davis Mills completed 62.2% for 240 yards & 2 TDs with a 98.9 rating last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with at least 2 TD passes & 0 INTs.
  • Rex Burkhead had 70 scrimmage yards (40 rush, 30 rec.) & 5 catches in Week 1. Aims for his 5th in row with 65+ scrimmage yards. Had TD catch in his last game at Denver (11/12/17 w/ NE). Has 5 TDs in his past 4 vs. AFC West.
  • Brandin Cooks led Houston with 7 catches for 82 yards in Week 1. Has 7+ catches in 4 of his past 5. Has 50+ rec. yards in each of his 3 career games vs. Denver. Aims for his 3rd in row on the road with a TD catch.
  • OJ Howard had 2 rec. TDs last week in Hou. debut, his 3rd-career game with 2 TDs & 1st since 2018. Had 49 rec. yards in only career game vs. Denver. (9/27/20 w/ TB).
  • Jerry Hughes had 2 sacks, INT & FF last week in Houston debut, his 2nd-career game with both INT & FF.
  • Kamu Grugier-Hill led Houston with 18 tackles & had a TFL & PD last week, the most tackles by any player in the NFL in Week 1. Aims for his 12th in row with at least 5 tackles.
  • Jonathan Owens had a career-high 15 tackles & had PD last week, 2nd-most tackles by any player in the NFL in Week 1.
  • Christian Kirksey had 9 tackles, a TFL & his 6th-career FR in Week 1. Aims for his 4th in row with at least 8 tackles & 3rd in row with a TFL.

Denver Broncos
  • Russell Wilson completed 29 of 42 (69 pct.) for 340 yards & TD for a 101.3 rating last week in his Denver debut. Has 712 pass yards (356 per game) & 6 TDs with 1 INT for a 120 rating in his past 2 starts vs. Houston. Had 8 TDs and 0 INTs for a 136.1 rating in 3 starts vs. AFC South last season with Seattle.
  • Melvin Gordon had 72 scrimmage yards (team-high 58 rush, 14 rec.) last week. Aims for his 4th in row with 70+ scrimmage yards. Had 89 scrimmage yards in only career game vs. Houston (11/27/16 w/ SD).
  • Javonte Williams had 11 receptions in week 1, the second most ever by a Denver RB.
  • Jerry Jeudy led Denver with 102 rec. yards & had a TD catch in Week 1, his 3rd career game with 100+ rec. Yards.
  • Courtland Sutton had 4 catches for 72 yards last week. He had 5 catches in last meeting. Has 70+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. AFC South.
  • Kareem Jackson had 11 tackles, TFL, 3 PD & INT in last meeting. Totaled 88 PD & 16 INTs in 9 seasons with Houston.

Arizona Cardinals (0-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
1:25 PM PT | TV CBS: Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta, AJ Ross 
All-Time Regular Season Series: Raiders lead 6-4

Arizona Cardinals
  • Kyler Murray had 19 TDs (15 pass, 4 rush) with 3 INTs for a 109.2 rating in 7 road starts in 2021, the 2nd-highest road passer rating in NFL last season. He has had at least 2 TD passes & 100+ rating in 4 of his past 5 road starts.
  • James Conner had 5 catches, 55 scrimmage yards (29 rec., 26 rush) & a rushing TD in Week 1. Since 2021, he ranks 2nd in the NFL with 16 rushing TDs. Had 696 scrimmage yards (87 per game) & 9 TDs (7 rush, 2 rec.) in 8 road games last season.
  • Since 2013, Zach Ertz ranks 2nd in receptions (637) & rec. yards (6,855) & 4th in rec. TDs (42) among all TEs. Had 6+ catches in 3 of his final 4 road games last season.
  • Marquise Brown had 4 catches for 43 yards & rec. TD in Arizona debut last week. Had 5 catches for 69 yards & rec. TD in his last game vs. LV (9/13/21 w/ Bal.). Aims for his 5th in row on road with 5+ catches.
  • Since 2017, Budda Baker leads all DBs in tackles (534) & games with 10+ tackles (19).
  • Jalen Thompson had 9 tackles last week. Aims for his 9th in row on road with 6+ tackles.

Las Vegas Raiders