The Kansas City Chiefs are on the road this week for their first divisional game of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers. With key injuries plaguing the Chargers, this matchup presents the Chiefs with an opportunity to work through their offensive struggles. However, even with the opposition weakened, Kansas City has its own issues to address, primarily on the offensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs’ offense, usually seen as a juggernaut led by Patrick Mahomes, has lacked consistency. While the defense has performed well, the offense’s struggles are concerning. Entering Week 4, the Chiefs must find answers if they are to maintain their position atop the AFC.
Mahomes’ Inconsistent Play
Patrick Mahomes, regarded as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, hasn’t been playing to his usual standard. After a lackluster performance in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Mahomes carried some of those struggles into Week 3. His missed throws and hesitance to commit to deep passes have been noticeable, especially during key moments of the game.
On the opening drive of Week 3, Mahomes underthrew a pass to Rashee Rice and later missed Wide Receiver Xavier Worthy for a potential touchdown. His hesitation to put power behind throws was evident, particularly when he underthrew a deep ball to Worthy. Later in the same drive, an ill-advised lob to Noah Gray resulted in an interception, capping a rough start. Though Mahomes found his rhythm in the second half, completing two touchdown passes, the inconsistency remains troubling for Kansas City’s offensive flow.
Despite the issues, Mahomes knows improvement is necessary. Through three weeks, the Chiefs rank No. 12 in passing offense and No. 13 overall. These rankings are far from what fans expect from the high-flying Kansas City attack, especially considering the offseason moves designed to bolster the offense.
Running Game Adjustments Without Isiah Pacheco
The loss of Running Back Isiah Pacheco due to a broken fibula raised concerns about the Chiefs’ ground game. However, undrafted rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine stepped up in his absence. Steele, in particular, impressed in his first start, rushing for 72 yards and providing crucial blocks in pass protection.
Steele’s hard-nosed running style offered Kansas City a much-needed boost. He consistently moved the chains, taking on a heavy workload with 17 carries. Meanwhile, Perine added 40 all-purpose yards, contributing in both the run and pass game. This one-two punch helped maintain balance, though the offense has yet to reach the same level as it did with Pacheco.
Further helping the ground attack is the recent addition of Kareem Hunt. Hunt, who was added to the Chiefs’ 53-man roster this week. This brings another veteran presence to the backfield. His ability to complement Steele and Perine could help stabilize Kansas City’s rushing attack moving forward. The Chiefs are currently ranked No. 15 in rushing offense, and Hunt’s presence may provide the spark needed to elevate that standing.
Rashee Rice Emerging as Mahomes’ Go-To Target
One of the bright spots for the Chiefs offense has been the emergence of Wide Receiver Rashee Rice. The second-year player has quickly become Mahomes’ most reliable option, outpacing even All-Pro Tight End Travis Kelce in terms of production. Rice has filled the void left by the absence of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who is on injured reserve and has thrived as the team’s top option.
Rice’s performance in Week 3 was once again impressive, catching 12 of his 14 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. His ability to find soft spots in defenses and make plays after the catch has been a crucial element of Kansas City’s offense. According to Next Gen Stats, Rice leads all NFL receivers in yards after the catch and missed tackles forced.
With 24 receptions and 288 receiving yards through three weeks, Rice has been a vital part of the Chiefs’ passing game. As Kansas City continues to work through its offensive struggles, Rice’s development as Mahomes’ go-to target will be essential to finding success.
Final Thoughts
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, the team is still searching for answers on offense. While players like Rashee Rice and Carson Steele have stepped up, the inconsistency from Mahomes and the struggles in the red zone remain major concerns. The addition of Kareem Hunt could help, but the Chiefs will need to improve across the board to regain their dominant form.
With plenty of time left in the season, the Chiefs have the talent to turn things around. However, they cannot afford to let these issues linger if they hope to stay atop a stacked AFC conference.
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