Miami @ Kansas City preview
Deutsche Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Dec 13, 2020 ) Kansas City 33, Miami 27
The NFL made sure to save an attractive matchup for its first game in Frankfurt, Germany.
German fans will be treated to a showdown between two of the most explosive offenses in the league when the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs meet Sunday.
The Dolphins (6-2) are an offensive juggernaut, leading the NFL in passing (301.5 yards per game), rushing (151.8 per game) and scoring (33.9 ppg). They have weapons fast enough for Germany's Autobahn, and thanks to three wins in their past four games, they've driven past the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC East.
Miami joins Kansas City (6-2), the Baltimore Ravens and the Jacksonville Jaguars atop the conference standings. How the Dolphins fare against Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champions could have a big impact on the playoff race in the second half of the season.
"For our team to have this opportunity to go against a Pat Mahomes team, it'll be fun and it'll give us a chance to see where we're at going into this bye week as a team," Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said.
The Dolphins spent most of the week in Germany, having flown out Monday night and landed early Tuesday. Coach Mike McDaniel has chosen film study and meetings over sightseeing, but he complimented the city and his staff for setting up the accommodations.
"I know that really from all the feedback I've gotten that it's been a fantastic experience for a lot of our locker room," McDaniel said.
The Chiefs are taking a much different approach. They're preparing for the game at home before flying out Thursday afternoon. Given the six-hour time difference between Kansas City and Frankfurt, it raises the question of whether one team will look fresher than the other come Sunday.
But longtime Chiefs coach Andy Reid already has two international games under his belt. The Chiefs blasted the Detroit Lions in London in 2015 and beat the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019 in Mexico City.
"Everybody kind of does it a little different," Reid said. "We did this a couple years ago when we went to London. I've done it before with other teams. (Leaving late in the week) worked, so I kind of stuck by it. We will see how it goes."
The Chiefs are coming off a 24-9 loss to the Denver Broncos that snapped a six-game winning streak. Mahomes threw two interceptions and no touchdowns while fighting the flu. He participated fully in practice Wednesday despite a left hand injury that left him bleeding during the Denver game.
This will mark the first time Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill plays against his former team. In Sunday's 31-17 win over the New England Patriots, he became the first player in the Super Bowl era to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in just eight games.
"I just had to let KC know, whenever they see me, it's going to be problems, because old Reek, yeah, he was hell, so I'm back," Hill said. "The Cheetah is back."
Known for their offense, the Chiefs rank second in the NFL in scoring defense (16.1 ppg) and fourth in total defense (287.8 ypg) this year.
"He's really fast, he's really good after the catch. You gotta take good angles," said Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill, who faced Hill as a member of the Chargers.
While the Chiefs are 2-0 in international games, the Dolphins have a 1-4 record all-time, with all five of theirs coming in London.
Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) and linebacker Willie Gay (back) missed Wednesday's practice. Punter Tommy Townsend (hand) was limited.
Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (ankle), tight end Durham Smythe (ankle) and offensive lineman Rob Hunt (hamstring) are in Germany but didn't practice Wednesday. Safety Brandon Jones (concussion) did not make the trip.
--Field Level Media