It’s been nearly two weeks since our Kansas City Chiefs narrowly scratched out victory over the Carolina Panthers. It was another one of those frustrating wins as it was more than apparent that the Chiefs were the more talented to football team. Yet, when you have absolutely nothing to lose and you have a talented quarterback things can be interesting. Both the offense and defense made enough plays and PM15 positioned himself as the lead horse in the MVP race and the Chiefs escaped Arrowhead with a 33-31 victory.

The Raiders completely had the Chiefs number in October. Jon Gruden out coached Andy Reid. Derek Carr out played Patrick Mahomes. The Raiders offense and defensive lines controlled the LOS. It was a complete victory and deserved. All of those things seem like outliers. I can go back and watch those things and see for that one day the Las Vegas Raiders were the better team but in my opinion that was the exception and far from the rule.

In the week 5 matchup I predicted a BIG 42-16 victory. I thought that Patrick Mahomes would finally get on track and put up big numbers. Well going into the bye Patrick Mahomes had gotten on track. Andy Reid is 18-2 coming out of the bye week, the Chiefs are still 29-4 against AFC West opponents since 2015 and this is Chiefs vs. Raiders. I expected a butt whoopin, I honestly will be upset if this is a close game. It’s not that I don’t respect the Raiders or what they have done, it’s that I expect this team to turn it now. The motivation and preparation are about to meet and it should spell disaster for a good Raiders team. Chiefs 48 Raiders 24

A special matchup deserves a special coffee and that’s exactly what we got from Headrush Roasters up north in Briarcliff. My first Jamaican Blue Mountain was totally worth shelling out the extra dough. This coffee smells exquisite deep coffee aromas with twinges of nutmeg and clove and expensive milk chocolate bon bons. Ground up there is some fresh raspberry notes upfront with some warmer tones of dried apricot and pineapple. Once brewed is this full bodied delicately light and mellow brew. Slightly over roasted you get those natural oils on the tip of the tongue that mysteriously never get bitter. Flavors of the finest chocolates with some hints of bing cherries and blackberries sneak in there. This taste like a big bear hug feels like. This is easily the best coffee I’ve had this year and Mrs. Meyer agrees. Check out either of their locations in the Northland or find it online. Enjoy my friends and Go Chiefs!

https://www.headrushroasters.com/product/jamaica-blue-mountain/288?cs=true

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In what was the least surprising result of the season this point, the Chiefs pounded the Jets 35-9 last Sunday at Arrowhead. Greg Williams defense held stout against the run but had no answers for Pat Mahomes or Tommy Townsend in the pass game. PM15 had over 400 yards passing and 5 TDs in the win. The Cheetah had 2 of those touchdown grabs and 10 different Chiefs had receptions. The defense played bend but don’t break for the first 30 minutes allowing only 3 Jets field goals, after the break they were relentless for 5 three and outs. 7-1 at the halfway mark it’s a good time to be a part of Chiefs Kingdom.

The Chiefs welcome the Carolina Panthers to Arrowhead before a week 10 bye. The Panthers have some decent pieces but nothing that scares you collectively. Teddy Bridgewater is a serviceable QB but he’s not talented enough to beat you on his own. Christian McCaffery is healthy for the first time since week 2, that could be a problem but like I said this team puts nothing out there that has me worried. Matt Rhule’s team will make this a challenge. The Chiefs just need to focus and stay healthy. If they do I think we can relax into the bye. Chiefs 36 Panthers 19

This weeks coffee selection comes from City Market Roasters. I chose a Fair Trade Mexican Oaxaca. Out of the bag there is sugary sweetness on the nose with hints of roasted peanuts. Ground up we break into the chocolate notes with strong forward scents strawberry jam. Once poured milk chocolate is the most noticeable note, hints of peanut butter, caramel, and praline sneak there way into this medium bodied slightly syrupy brew. Almost zero acidity allow this cup to be very easy to drink. City Market Roasters have been a KC staple since 1992 and I strongly recommend this roast. If you have time make your way the City Market and check them out or visit the website and order a bag or two.

https://www.citymarketcoffee.com/

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On a cold and snowy Sunday afternoon in Denver the Chiefs beatdown the Broncos in a nearly empty Mile High Stadium , or whatever corporate name they are currently calling it now. PM15 only passed for 202 yards and 1 Tyreek Hill touchdown but the defense forced 4 turnovers including a pick 6 from Dirty Dan Sorensen and Byron Pringle had the longest play of the season a 102 yard kickoff return for a touchdown and the Chiefs just pummeled the fighting Elways 43-16.

This week is very hard as fan to get pumped up for. A winless Jets team comes to Arrowhead, with absolutely nothing to lose. The line for this game sits 19.5 which is astronomical for a NFL game. I think the Chiefs keep this one rather vanilla and feed the ball to CEH and Le’Veon Bell and pull the starters in the fourth quarter. The Jets get a couple of garbage time TDs and cover the spread. CHIEFS 38 JETS 20

This week I journeyed you north to Liberty to head to Hammerhand Coffee. I was utterly surprised to find that the location is temporarily closed. After a little of research this is just a temporary setback and you can still order their coffee. I was on more than a little time crunch so I had to hit my back up plan and head to Hy-Vee, which I was certain had a decent selection of their product line. Though they had no single origins that I normally review they did have the Full Bloom blend that I’ve had my eye on for awhile. A well blended coffee that takes natural processes beans and allows them to absorb in all those natural sugars and sweetness. Out of the bag I get some scents of black tea bags and dried up fall leaves. Ground up we get some raisin, fresh cranberry, and dark chocolate scents. In the mouth you get a very light, chocolate forward taste with a lot of back end candy like fruitiness. This is one of those coffees that I would suggest to anyone trying to step up there everyday home brew game. It has quite a few high notes but is not complex at all. Overall a solid selection from Hammerhand, I will be back to grab and try to review one of their single origins in the future. In the meantime help a local small business out and order a bag.

https://www.hammerhand.coffee/shop/full-bloom-blend

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The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of this team make for some interesting football. A week after getting completely manhandled upfront but Las Vegas the Chiefs were able to travel to Buffalo and dominate the line of scrimmage to the tune of 245 yards rushing and were constantly disrupting Josh Allen’s pocket forcing him break outside and scramble.

The Chiefs ran for more yards than any team coached by Andy Reid during his tenure. Rookie Clyde Edwards- Helaire led the way with 161 earned yards. Patrick Mahomes had two first half touchdown passes to Travis Kelce. A makeshift offensive line led the way for one of the more surprising offensive performances of recent memory. The defense played well all afternoon/evening and Dirty Dan Sorensen has his first pick of the season. All of this cumulated into a 26-17 Chiefs victory.

This week Kansas City travels to Denver, it what is being forecasted as a possible snow game. The Chiefs have won 9 straight in this series but the Broncos come in hot, having won two straight. Fangio’s defense is playing good and could give PM15 and the boys some trouble. This one has me a little more concerned with the inconsistencies the Chiefs have had against division opponents so far this season. The truth of the matter is Denver just doesn’t have the fire power to stay with the Chiefs. This is closer than most would think but I like the our boys chances. Chiefs 21 Broncos 15

New week new coffee is how this works. This week I traveled south of the Meyer home to Grandview to try Encore Coffee Company. Head Roaster/Owner/Delivery Driver, Mike King, gave me a first hand look into what he is doing and it was just fantastic. This guy is truly passionate about his craft and it comes out strongly in his coffee. I was lucky enough to finagle myself a bag of his Ugandan Rwenzori, my first beans from this African country. Out of the bag there is slightly sweet grain similar to corn flakes with a strong aroma of cocoa powder and just hint of caramel sauce. Once ground some berry fruit sweetness hits the nose with aromas of blackberry and year old Halloween candy. Once brewed we get well balanced chocolaty, nutty, slightly fruity very light in the body coffee. There are notes fo dried berries, kind of a trail mix vibe going on here. The sweetness kind of lingers in the back of the throat, but overwhelming reaction I get from this is, it tastes like coffee. I want to sit on my sun porch and read a Grisham novel while drinking about a gallon of this right now. This one is weirdly satisfying. No one thing about this brew sticks out and says I want this but the whole package comes together beautifully and masterfully. I encourage all my readers to check out on Encore on their website. Buy a bag and send a little love to the small business community out there. Go ahead and order .

https://www.encorecoffeeco.com

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Well this is the portion of the season where us Chiefs fans start to overreact. The Chiefs lost to divisional rival Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead. It was the first time in 11 months that the Chiefs had lost a game and the way they were manhandled on both sides of the ball, left a real nasty taste in the mouth. Though, I cussed and boo hooed Sunday afternoon and evening I regained my composure and confidence by Monday. Then as the week moved along what started as rumblings of Le’Veon Bell being on the trading block, to the Jets releasing him, to his ultimate signing with our defending Super Bowl champions, it went from a disastrous start to one that feels very exceptional. This move feels like something the Patriots would do and that is the model to follow.

It is bounce back week on the Run It Back tour. In a game rescheduled from Thursday night to Monday late afternoonish that could have a lot of playoff seeding implications. The Buffalo Bills do a lot of things right. They are effective in the pass game and control the ball with a solid run game. Defensively they defend the pass as well as anybody in the NFL but they lack a real good pass rush. The Chiefs will have some opportunities in this game but they need to be in position to capitalize. Josh Allen poses a a strong threat with both his arms and legs. I am trying to find reasons to pick against my Chiefs but there just doesn’t seem like there is enough there. A team in search of a reason to play with a chip on their collective shoulders finally has one. I like the Chiefs in a good Monday night road game against a tough Bills team. The Kingdom comes out strong and pulls away late. Chiefs 28 Bills 23

This week Jude and ventured downtown again and made it almost to Westport before stopping at Oddly Correct. Oddly is one of those second wave roasters that has been roasting great coffee in KC since their inception. I chose Pantan Musara a fully washed Sumatran. Though I typically shy away from Indonesian coffees because they are overly earthy, a nice way to say it tastes like dirt, I gave this one a try because it is the first fully washed variety that I remember seeing. Right out of the bag I am reminded of every other Sumatran coffee, strong aromas of earthy mustiness. Like an old attic or fresh straw in a sheep barn but ground up you feel like your taken to a spice market, scents of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and a spicy hint of Chile de àrbol. That spiciness sticks around on first sip like Mexican hot chocolate then mellows out in an agave like sweetness. This heavy brew is perfect for this mild KC weather we’ve had the last couple of days. I give my full recommendation so head down Main Street or order online at https://oddlycorrect.com/shop/sumatra-pantan-musara-fully-washed/

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There is no question that Bill Belichick is the master of putting together a game plan of making things difficult for the opposition. For nearly 3 quarters it looked like the Patriots had figured out and were executing how to effectively shut down PM15 and the Chiefs offense. Then Andy Reid sat down, recalibrated, and check mated his advisory on the other side. The offense scored touchdowns on back to back drives and The Landlord collected rent on a dropped ball by Julian Edelman and took it for six to secure the win.

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins but a 16 point victory over a likely playoff team in primetime is nothing to take lightly. Understandably this wasn’t a typical Chiefs Patriots game, Cam Newton was out after a positive Covid-19 test and the game was postponed a day because of the previous statement. The Pats flew in Monday morning and still dictated for most of the second and third quarters. The surprise of the whole ordeal is how well the defensive line and secondary played. Rashad Fenton is turning into a star in front of eyes and Taco Charlton is getting to the quarterback like a stud. This team when it stops playing to the level of it’s competition will be scary to watch.

At the time of this writing the Chiefs are scheduled to take on the Las Vegas Raiders, that is still weird to write out, at Arrowhead on Sunday afternoon. With that being said who knows when this game might actually take place, the Raiders have had a couple of positive tests and everything is super fluid. When the game takes place I think the Chiefs are up to the task. The Chiefs have been able to handle the Raiders with relative ease the past couple of seasons. Josh Jacobs is a really good running back but he is stuck behind a mediocre offensive line, Derek Carr doesn’t throw many interceptions but he holds on to the ball way too long and has the tendency to be susceptible to the strip sack. So look for a Frank Clark, Taco Charlton, and hopefully a healthy Chris Jones to be chomping at the bit.

If the Chiefs can avoid the distractions that are 2020, I think this is the week where things just come together. I see a big time game from the half billion dollar man, 400+ yards and 5 TD’s. The defense creates turnovers and this one is never in doubt. The Clydesdale gets in the endzone multiple times. Jon Gruden gets frustrated and we have a Marcus Mariotta sighting again at Arrowhead, this time with none of the 2018 nonsense. A BIG BIG BIG Kansas City Chiefs win. Chiefs 42 Raiders 16

We go back downtown for this weeks coffee selection. PT’s Roasting Company in the Crossroads is just one of many roasters I’ve ignored for no good reason. They are one of the older roasters in the metro and I now know why they have been around for nearly 3 decades. There selection is top notch and the staff is extremely knowledgable and friendly. I chose a honey processed El Salvadoran, Finca Las Mercedes El Rubi Honey. For some reason some of my favorite roasts have come from El Salvador, they are generally not overly complex but just simply delicious and this variety is no different. Out of the bag there is some straight forward cereal malts and mixed nuts. Its oddly similar to that cheap cans of nuts I get at the bottom of my Christmas stocking every year. Ground up there is a more fruity, wine like essence mixed with a salty nose similar to the snack food Bugles. When I take the first sip, I’m taken to a past El Salvadoran bean I tried in San Diego, sweet nuttiness like the pecan description from the roaster with little to no acidity. Great coffee flavor just flows through this with some almost a floral finish. I wish I could I had more to say about this but really it’s fairly simple this is an amazing cup of coffee, for someone who just wants a light refreshing cup of joe this is it. If you find yourself downtown go down Southwest Boulevard and grab a cup or a bag for yourself or check them out on the web. Enjoy my friends. https://www.ptscoffee.com/collections/single-origin-coffee/products/el-rubi-honey

In what was billed as the game of the year, one team showed how far ahead they are while the other limped back to the locker room trying to figure out where they go from here. Kansas City easily handled Baltimore Monday 34-20 in front of announced attendance of 0 fans at M&T Bank Stadium. Really the score does not give any indication on how much of a blowout this really was. Kansas City left a minimum of 7 points on the field and Baltimore ran back a kickoff for a TD for the first time since 2012 against the Chiefs. The Chiefs won the yardage battle 517-228 and held reigning MVP Lamar Jackson to 180 TOTAL yards and only 97 through the air. It’s scary to think this was not the Chiefs best game, they need to be able to tackle better especially at the linebacker position, had numerous mistakes on special teams, and fumbled on the positive side of the field where we could have put this game on ice early in the third quarter. With all of that they beat, what many consider the second best team in football, by two touchdowns on the road in Primetime. If this team plays at this level or any better, the only team beating them is theirselves.

This week the Chiefs come back home to take on The Evil Empire, the 2-1 New England Patriots. With Cam Newton at quarterback I really don’t know how seriously I can take this team. They run the ball extremely effectively, which is the formula to beating the Chiefs but they do not get to the quarterback and are not good at defending the pass, which is how you lose to the Chiefs. I fully expect the Chiefs and Andy Reid to come out with urgency and fire and put this one away early. Patrick “Money” Mahomes has another 300+ yard performance and CEH has a monster game receiving the ball. CHEIFS 37 PATRIOTS 20

We travel a little bit south of the Meyer home and the Truman Sports Complex for this weeks coffee selection. We have the Columbian Catalina from Post Coffee Company in Lee’s Summit and spoiler alert it has been my favorite of any of the four I have tried this season so far. Manly scents of bourbon, vanilla, oaked Chardonnay hit the nose right when I open this bag. Ground up some of the fruitiness starts to expose itself with a nose full of an exceptional Cab Sauv, and some weird meatiness like biltong or beef jerky. In the mouth it is light and complex and extremely upfront and in your business with a basket of fruit. I get kiwi and ripe banana with some pineapple-esque sweetness and for the final caveat there is a strong grapefruit tang at the finish. I’m blown away by this coffee and can’t believe this is the first time I’ve tried Post. My apologies guys on that. I do encourage any of you to check them out in Lee’s Summit or find them on the web on their site. http://www.postcoffeecompany.com/

A huge blunder by a L.A. Chargers team physician pushed Justin Herbert into his first career start. The number six overall pick answered the call. Looking like he was ready for the moment from the first whistle. The kid is full of confidence and besides an interception when he had an easy first down, he played exceptionally well. All that being said, it wasn’t enough. Conservative play calling and Patrick Mahomes will to win culminated in a Harrison Butker 58 yard game winning overtime kick.

The Chargers were a better team for 50 of the 68 minutes played Sunday afternoon but it wasn’t enough. The Chiefs played maybe a C+ game and I fully believe they took the best shot from the Chargers and still won. I’ve never been a believer of moral victories and the Chargers should not feel good about theirselves for almost getting the Chiefs. This is a game they should have won. On the other end of spectrum it is a huge relief to see the Chiefs play so mediocre and still come out with another AFC West victory.

Monday night the Chiefs travel to Baltimore for what most of the nation believes is game of the year. I’m not trying to put that much stock into one game in September but the eyes on the football world will be on this one. The past two MVP’s are going head to head for the third straight season, in what should be another classic.

The Chiefs are going to have to play better in the trenches, they have to pass block without holding and get off the line to establish some semblance of run game. Defensively we have to tackle better. I know league wide the lack of a traditional training camp has led to tackling pandemic with historic offensive numbers through the first two weeks. But the Chiefs looked like a bunch of middle school junior varsity scrubs trying to tackle Austin Eckler and if that continues on Monday it will end in disappointment.

I feel this is going to be to be a shootout. I don’t have the confidence that Chiefs will figure out enough defensively to keep this game in the 20’s. A healthy Frank Clark and Mike Pennel coming off suspension will help up front. I just think the QB play will be the story of this game, as it should be. I think Ravens win a close game RAVENS 34 CHIEFS 31

We go north of the metro to St. Joseph for this weeks coffee selection and try Mokaska Coffee Company. Mokaska is one of my favorite roasters in the area, it’s a hidden gem that my wife turned me on to when we first go together. This is my first time sampling their light roast Ethiopian. When I opened the bag I get hit with notes new oak, wet grass, and honey. Ground we get deeper notes of molasses, dates, and burnt sugars. To be honest I can not find any of the roasters descriptors of orange blossom, key lime, and red apple. This is unlike any Ethiopian I have ever tried before, normally a slightly acidic and lighter mouth feel of a region. This one is heavy on the tongue and super creamy with no acidity. Milk chocolate is the taste that you get immediately with hints of merlot and almost a floral finish. This one is interesting to say the least and if I must say so my favorite of this young season.

Check out this brew or any others from Mokaska in their shop in downtown St. Joe. You can find Mokaska coffees in select Hyvee stores in the metro or at their website.

https://www.mokaska.com/shop/ethiopian

After giving up the first points of the season on a dreadful defensive possession, the Chiefs rolled off 31 straight before a couple of garbage time TDs in route to a 34-20 victory over the Texans. This marks the second time in the last two meetings with Houston that Kansas City has gone on 31 point runs. That’s domination over an opponent, that has to be scary for the rest of the league.

The stars of the game were actually 3 rookies that contributed mightily in all 3 facets of the game. Offensively, first rounder, Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 138 yards and 1 touchdown. After 1 week of football he leads the NFL in rushing yards. His 106 yards after contact would have been the third best in the NFL after week 1. I’m not sure his 25 carries were handled game planned but Mahomes and company took advantage of the light box thrown at them. Defensively rookie fourth rounder L’Jarious Sneed stepped up big time in place of suspended Bashaud Breeland. He played well locked up on Will Fuller all night long and recorded his first career interception. Lastly UDFA punter Tommy Townsend stepped right in showing he has a kicking arsenal that could be beneficial for years to come. I must say not seeing Willie Gay Jr. on any defensive snaps is truly disappointing, especially with dumpster fire the Chiefs currently employ at the linebacker position.

This week the Chiefs fly out west to face the Los Angeles Chargers in front of zero fans in a billion dollar stadium. It’s no different than facing the Chargers out west over the last three seasons with the exception of playing in a real football stadium.

I’ve been on record saying multiple times, that the Chargers do not scare me. Tyrod Taylor doesn’t scare me from the quarterback position. I get this team has talent all across the field, except where it matters most. I think the Chiefs explore more of the playbook on offense and continue to use the front four to pressure the QB on defense. I can see that LA has success running the ball. For whatever reason these games are always close with that in consideration. Chiefs 33 Chargers 17

This weeks coffee selection comes from Blip Roasters in the West Bottom via our neighbors Matt and Ally. I’ve honestly never tried Blip before, some of there crew has been in Slaps and I failed miserably never making it across the bridge and down to their facility. Today I have their Honduran Lempira from Serrano Farms. Out of the box and on the nose you get very earthy tones of straw bales and fresh cultivated dirt with hints of stale chocolate and toffee from the whole beans. Ground up brings a whole new set of scents to the equation, notes of raspberry and dried cherries with hints of Cab Sauv mixed in there. On the tongue it’s almost exactly as the box reads, a light to medium mouth feel with notes of Hershey kisses, dry roasted peanuts, with a hint of Dolce de Leche. Perfect for a slightly cool fall morning, hoodie on while swaying on your porch swing kind of brew. I strongly suggest making a trip into the West Bottoms and grabbing a bag or check out there website via the link below.

https://blip-roasters.square.site/product/honduras-serrano-farm/202?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

The wait is almost over. An offseason unlike any other both from a worldly and organizational standpoint. We signed our All World QB to the biggest contract in professional sports history. We also return 18 of the 22 starters off our Super Bowl team. The world seems to be coming to end, maybe in part to some prayers sent up by Chiefs fans on February 2nd. Though this writer has had a pretty good offseason. I’ve had the opportunity to talk nationally about the Chiefs on The Full Monte Sports Show, find it on YouTube Sunday mornings at 11 EST. Mrs. Meyer and I welcomed our son, Jude Deekin Meyer into Chiefs Kingdom on August 17th. So nonetheless it’s been eventful.

The Chiefs face off against a somewhat new look Houston Texans team. The same team who had the Chiefs down 24-0 in the blink of an eye in the divisional round. David Johnson replaces Carlos Hyde and a stable of receivers try to replace DeAndre Hopkins. The offensive line may be the best Deshaun Watson has ever had in front of him. For weeks I’ve been super confident in the Chiefs with this matchup but the more I look into it there are some matchup problems for Chiefs mostly a solid group of receivers in Randall Cobb, Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, and Kenny Stills going up against some young corners in L’Jarious Sneed, Rashad Fenton, and BoPete Keyes. With that said I have confidence in our front 4 getting pressure and keeping Watson inside the pocket and making plays. Offensively I’m excited to see how the Chiefs try to utilize the running back position. I expect big numbers from the tight ends. This one I see high scoring like in January. Chiefs 45 Texans 30

This year I’m reversing my coffee journey and instead of ordering from the opponents city I’m staying local. With over 20 independent roasters in the metro I will be able to choose easily. Also the savings in shipping will help out a ton with baby Jude.

Our first selection of the 2020 season comes from the old dog in KC roasting, The Roasterie. I haven’t bought from The Roasterie in awhile because there are so many second and third wave roasters that are doing great things. So I wanted to try something special and I found their Reserve section and I am reviewing the Papua New Guinea Sigri Kula Peaberry, say that 5 times fast. It’s a mouthful for sure. Out of the bag you can smell the rich maltiness of this roast. Once ground it’s like walking through a fresh produce stand, banana, sour grapes, and Granny Smith apple pop out with undertones of fresh dig dirt and Port wine. I actually brewed this on my stovetop siphon coffee maker and though my ratio was a bit off I’m comfortable in saying this is strangely complex. None of the fruitiness the nose reveals come through on the tongue. It’s rich and creamy, with a sophisticated boldness. I want to be in a leather chair and with old books surrounding me when I drink this. It’s almost a liquified German chocolate cake. As amazing as that sounds, it is. I strongly checking this brew out. Order online or run into one of these stores in the metro.

https://theroasterie.com/product/papua-new-guinea-sigri-kula-peaberry/