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Patrick Mahomes will need some extra time in spike practice this week, but he found a few good things to say about the Kansas City Chiefs win over the Bills. So it’s on to Super Bowl 59, and the Chiefs X-factor is not Mahomes. It’s Xavier Worthy.
Using his arm and his legs — Mahomes set a career high with two rushing scores — the Chiefs held off the Bills, 32-29, in the AFC Championship game. That puts the Chiefs in a position to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowl titles.
But it won’t be easy. The Chiefs must face a red-hot Philadelphia Eagles team, that boasts Saquon Barkley as the front man for a tremendously tough offense. Therefore, the Chiefs will need a role player or two to step up with a big game.
Against a rock-tough Eagles defense, Mahomes will need his receivers to step up with separation if the Chiefs are going to consistently move the football.
Travis Kelce delivered the best separation percentage for the Chiefs during the regular season. He ranked No. 18 in the NFL at 64.24%. As for Worthy, he ranked No. 2 on the team at 62.10%. These are the two games Mahomes will likely target the most against the Eagles’ top-ranked pass defense. They gave up only 174.2 yards a contest this season.
Worthty, a rookie, has come into his own late in the year. Over his last four games, including the playoffs, he at least five catches in every contest. Also, he’s scored three touchdowns and topped 75 yards twice.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Worthy has gotten better every week, according to a post on SportsRadio 810’s facebook page.
“Pat’s more familiar with him,” Reid said “(Worthy) is more familiar with the offense. And what Pat expects from him. The main thing is he’s wired the way where he wants to be good. And that’s a big part of it. He wants to know. He doesn’t let his ego get in the way.”
Another thing that helped Worthy turn in 59 catches for 638 yards and six scores this year came from his teammates.
“He’s got good teachers,” Reid said. You’re in a room with 8 (DeAndre Hopkins), 9 (Ju Ju Smith-Schuster), and 84 (Justin Watson). Those guys have all played a lot of football. And they’re willing to share. It’s a heck of a room to be in.”
The Eagles are tough against the run, and that means more passes in the Super Bowl for Mahomes. And assuming he doesn’t approach his 11 rush attempts like he had against the Bills, Mahomes will need production from Worthy, Kelce, and Hollywood Brown.
Brown is perhaps a sub-X-factor against the Eagles. Mahomes said Brown’s impact has been impressive, according to athlonsports.com.
“Other guys have stepped up and started making plays...
