The Kansas City Chiefs stumbled in their Week 1 clash against the Los Angeles Chargers, falling 27-21 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The game exposed vulnerabilities in their offense, exacerbated by an early injury to second-year wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who dislocated his shoulder on the third snap after colliding with Travis Kelce. Without Worthy, their primary deep threat, the Chiefs struggled punting on their first three possessions, which is a rarity since Patrick Mahomes became the starter in 2018. Mahomes completed just one of six passes for 6 yards targeting receivers in the first quarter, with his average depth of target dropping to 4.1 yards in the second quarter from 15 yards early on.
Hollywood Brown also stepped up, catching 10 for 99 yards, becoming Mahomes’ focal point. However, the offense lacked its usual explosiveness, concern as they face a Super Bowl LIX rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 14, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Coach Andy Reid noted a lack of energy in their first half, taking responsibility for the flat start, while Mahomes’ second-half heroics nearly sparked a comeback. With Rashee Rice suspended until Week 7 and Worthy’s status uncertain, Reid must adjust his offense to counter the Eagles’ aggressive defense, which sacked Mahomes six times in their 40-22 Super Bowl rout.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky sounded the alarm on Get Up on September 11, 2022, stating, “If it doesn’t get better, the Super Bowl is a 0% chance. The offense has to find ways to be more explosive. This is a two-year thing right now. If they don’t find ways to be more consistently explosive in this era, you cannot get back to the Super Bowl.”
Orlovsky’s concern highlights a persistent issue, the Chiefs’ offense, despite a 15-2 record in 2024, has leaned on short passes and Mahomes’ improvisation rather than consistent big plays. Without Worthy’s speed and with Rice sidelined, Kansas City risks stalling against elite defenses like Philadelphia’s.
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