Biggest NFL Saga: NFL to Review Chiefs-Buccaneers’ Game Amid Controversial Claims of Rigging, Suspends Referee as Patrick Mahomes Suffers a Major Injury Blow…See Details

The passing attack of the Kansas City Chiefs had a particularly effective game in Week 9. The game was closer than the team had hoped, ending in an overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24. If the Chiefs had scored on their first drive, they would have felt more in control of the game.

It seemed like rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught a pass down the sideline for 32 yards, setting up one yard shy of the end zone. The pass was incomplete, though, since Worthy couldn’t remain on the field of play.

Although Worthy just erred in reference to sideline awareness, the error ended the drive and set up the punt for the Chiefs. The rookie was even singled out for praise by head coach Andy Reid during Wednesday’s press conference.

“What an excellent path,” Reid told the newsmen. That was a change he made to position himself off the route.

“That side was obscured by them. Outside, he readjusted himself… Even though the CB drew him wider than the play calls for, he still managed to get away. When it came to that section, I felt he was fantastic.

On Wednesday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke to media in a manner similar to his coach.

On the play that Mahomes started to describe, “I looked down the middle of the field because that’s the guy I look to,” he said. Then I glanced over to see Xavier making that change on the sideline. As quickly as I could, I attempted to pass the ball to him.

“He’ll take that as a lesson, but I thought his recognition of coverage and subsequent arrival at the correct spot on that play was superb.”

Just like a safety in Cover 2, Worthy’s cornerback dribbles into a deep-half assignment as the play starts. He ignores the possibilities of a sideline route as he drops and focuses mostly on the inside.

Worthy got it and knew exactly what to do to make the most of the blown coverage.

In Wednesday’s locker room interview with Pete Sweeney, Worthy said, “I made a modification that wasn’t my actual route”. “I simply attempted to deviate slightly in order to purchase sufficient time prior to the arrival of the safety net.”

Neither of the two incompletes that were headed in Worthy’s direction were caught. Despite playing 68% of the offensive snaps, Worthy had a quiet game according to the box score. He contributed significantly to the passing totals.

“Regardless of statistics and everything else, the danger of him going over the top is creating openings for many other players,” Mahomes stressed. You can’t see the huge receptions downfield, but trust me when I say that teams are paying attention to his speed. That gets buried in the shuffle. That’s allowing guys like Travis Kelce (tight end) and DeAndre Hopkins (wide receiver) to open up in the middle of the field.

“If the ball doesn’t come to me, I’m going to get my guys open,” Worthy admitted. “Anything that helps the team win, whether it’s running off the safety or being used as a decoy.”

The effect that Worthy has on the Chiefs is different from that of rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice. The disparity between the team’s expectations of Rice and Worthy’s responsibilities is clear to Mahomes.

Last year, Rashee had a remarkable season, Mahomes said. We were counting on him to take charge of the offense in that capacity. Obviously, we have players here who can alleviate the burden of relying on a single player to generate all of the major plays… He might not have the same stats or numbers as Rashee did last year because our offense is definitely more balanced now.

Around this time last year, Rice became one of the Chiefs’ primary targets. Even while Worthy won’t need to make quite the leap to keep up with this year’s unit’s trajectory, he may still see his development quicken in the final stages.

Similar to Monday night’s opening-drive incomplete play, Worthy is inches away from making the play. The Chiefs’ offense is running efficiently, so that could be a sign of how near he is to reaching his maximum potential as the team’s top deep threat.