The Chiefs (9-6) of Kansas City are moving forward following their humiliating 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) on Christmas Day.

Matt Dickerson, a defensive tackle, was released by the Chiefs on Saturday, December 30, ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old did not make it past the final cuts after signing with the team in May. In late September, he was added to the 53-man roster after joining the practice squad.

This season, the fifth-year veteran played in 11 games for the Chiefs and recorded 12 tackles in 165 defensive snaps, according to SI. Dickerson was the team’s highest-graded player in Week 13’s 27-19 Kansas City loss to the Green Bay Packers. John Dillon of Chiefs Wire anticipated that Dickerson’s time in Kansas City would change after this game.

Matt Dickerson, a defensive lineman, surprised everyone by leading the Chiefs in Week 13 with a 79.8 PFF grade. Dillon speculated that Dickerson’s performance may have set him up for a bigger role.

Even though Dickerson didn’t do anything to improve Kansas City’s defense, his presence was one of the few positive aspects of the Chiefs’ performance in this contest. After Dickerson’s performance against the Packers, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo should expect to see more of him in crucial situations as the playoffs approach.

But the Chiefs never really got a handle on Dickerson. The former UCLA player has missed the last two games due to injury. Instead, the Chiefs decided to promote veteran tackle Mike Pennel from the practice squad for the Bengals game. Dickerson might re-sign with the Chiefs practice squad if he clears waivers.

Mecole Hardman’s comeback couldn’t have come at a better time, with Skyy Moore on injured reserve and Kadarius Toney expected to miss his second straight game due to a hip issue. Due to a thumb injury, the Chiefs’ second-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft hasn’t been on the field since Week 11. This season, the swift receiver has made four appearances in games and has eight catches for 41 yards.

Hardman played for the New York Jets at the beginning of the season. The 25-year-old receiver was sent back to Kansas City in October, after having signed a $4 million, one-year contract with the Jets. Hardman and a 2025 seventh-round pick were sent by the Chiefs to New York in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

According to Bet MGM, the Chiefs have the fewest interceptions in the league going into Week 17. On Sunday, December 31, Kansas City’s offense will hopefully benefit from Hardman’s presence against the Bengals.

The Chiefs will have another opportunity to win the AFC West if they defeat the Bengals, even if they were unable to accomplish it against the Raiders. The Chiefs are favored by 6.5 points against Cincinnati, but they are playing a conference foe that is desperate to make the playoffs.

performance from last week. The Athletic reports that Mahomes received the lowest grade of his career—34.2—from Pro Football Focus in the game against the Raiders.

Mahomes told reporters, “I still believe that we can go do what we want to do.” “The only thing to think about is how to fix it as soon as possible. We can defeat anyone if we tidy it up. Although I firmly think so, we still need to demonstrate our ability.