FANTASY FURNACE

To say that the Kansas City Chiefs have had a season’s worth of bad luck in their first two games would be a gross understatement. Jamaal Charles was carted off the field in the first quarter of today’s game vs the Detriot Lions. His knee buckled as he lost his balance trying to reach for a 1st down. Eric Berry, the first round draft pick in 2010 out of Tennessee, had a season ending torn ACL in the Chief’s first game vs Buffalo. The safety had played every play in every game last year. Like Charles, his knee injury was also to his left knee, and in the first quarter (of last week’s game). Another knee injury to TE Tony Moeaki who is currently on IR, completes the unfortunate trifecta.

Although the extent of Charles’ injury is not yet known (he didn’t return to today’s game), his loss would be the most devastating. He rushed for 1,467 yards last season and has rushed for over 1,100 yards in each of the last two. The 24-year-old who signed a six-year $27.97 million contract last December, also had 8 touchdowns last year, 5 rushing-3 passing.

If Charles would miss any significant time, Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster would increase in fantasy value, with Thomas Jones probably getting the bulk of the load. McCluster at 5′-8″ 170 lbs., would yield the majority of rushes to Jones who had more carries than Charles last season, rushing for almost 900 yards. Meantime, the Chiefs need to find a way to change their luck as they have been outscored 89-10 in their first two games.