Kansas City Chiefs rookie CB L’Jarius Sneed stepped up and answered the call once again. After coming up with a big Week 1 performance, in place of suspended CB Bashaud Breeland, Sneed came up with a momentum-shifting play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2.
Backs against the wall in the third quarter of a one-score game, Sneed picked off a pass from Chargers rookie QB Justin Herbert, setting up the game-tying drive from Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs HC Andy Reid believed it was the turning point in the game for Kansas City.
“Sneed came up with a big turnover for us,” Reid said following the game. “It really helped us kind of get things going in the right direction.”
It certainly felt like the interception sparked Mahomes and the offense to play better. They marched down the field and scored, tying the game at 17. Then, after a time-sucking drive by the Chargers, Mahomes did it all over again to tie the game at 20 and force overtime.
With just one game left to be played in Week 2, Sneed’s crucial interception would go on to make him the NFL’s leader in interceptions with two on the season. At this rate, Sneed is pacing to record an interception in every game. No matter what happens in the future, so far he’s been able to rise to the occasion and take full advantage of his opportunity. His performance isn’t going unnoticed by the coaching staff.
“We just did this with two young corners, man,” Reid said. “What a great opportunity for them. We expect when you step in that you raise your game and let’s go, let’s go and you got to see that today.”
Sneed has certainly elevated his game to the commensurate quality of play you’d expect from the reigning Super Bowl champions. He’s also carved out quite the role for himself in just two short weeks. They say you can never have too many good corners in the NFL. But soon, after Charvarius Ward is back from injury and Bashaud Breeland returns from suspension, the team will have a decision to make on the outside corner spots. Hopefully, the team can find a way to keep all three players on the field.
