In years past today’s Kansas City Chiefs vs Miami Dolphins game would have been all about the quarterback position. While both teams have capable QBs headed into today’s Chiefs game at Sun Life Stadium, the story in Week 3 is all about the running backs. Or, more accurately, the injuries that are forcing them to watch the Chiefs Dolphins game live from the sideline.
Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles was a strong candidate for MVP last season and was integral to KC being the last undefeated team in the league. They’ll be without him for today’s Dolphins game, and maybe longer, as Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced Monday that Charles has a high ankle sprain. Charles’ backup, Knile Davis, had 79 yards and two touchdowns in KC’s 24-17 loss to Denver last Sunday, but Charles’ output will surely be missed.
Miami’s also struggling with backfield injuries. Knowshon Moreno, who rushed last season for 1,038 yards and 10 touchdowns, was off to a fast start this season. In the Dolphins’ season opener, a surprising 33-20 win over New England, Moreno carried the ball 24 times for 134 yards. In game 2 he dislocated his elbow and was ruled out for a month. As a result, when you watch the Dolphins game live today you’ll be watching running back Daniel Thomas, whom Miami signed on Monday.
That puts added pressure on the quarterbacks. The Chiefs’ Alex Smith has gone 45-for-77 through two weeks, racking up 457 yards but just one TD. His QBR is 46.0, ranking him 25th in the league. Meanwhile, Miami’s Ryan Tannehill has completed 49 of 81 pass attempts for 419 yards and three touchdowns, but his 30.8 QBR is the second-lowest of all quarterbacks. Smith and Tannehill will both have their work cut out for them. That’s particularly true for Smith, who’s lining up against a ninth-ranked Dolphins D.
You can watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Miami Dolphins game live on TV on CBS. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25pm EST / 1:25pm PST. You can also watch Chiefs vs Dolphins game online free live streaming using the CBS Sports website or DirecTV’s website. The latter requires you to subscribe to the NFL Sunday Ticket MAX package, but all subscribers can watch the game online free via the DirecTV live stream on a smartphone, tablet or PC.