Chiefs HC Andy Reid sets the record straight on Patrick Mahomes' latest sideline misfire with WR Xavier Worthy
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and rookie WR Xavier Worthy are still working out the kinks in the deep passing game. They've connected on several passes over 20 yards this season, including a 31-yard reception in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. However, the missed shots between the two players have never been more noticeable. For […]
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and rookie WR Xavier Worthy are still working out the kinks in the deep passing game.
They've connected on several passes over 20 yards this season, including a 31-yard reception in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. However, the missed shots between the two players have never been more noticeable. For the second time over the past three weeks, the pair missed a deep shot play where Worthy caught the ball near the sideline, but couldn't get his feet in bounds.
This marked only the tenth regular season game these two have played together, so it's reasonable that their chemistry is still a work in progress. Patrick Mahomes was asked after the game whether it was simply a matter of repetition on the misfires with Worthy. He was curt in his response, shouldering the blame for what turned out to be a game-changing mistake.
"It's probably just me just throwing it more in balance to the guy that's wide open for a touchdown," he said. "So, if I throw it in balance, it's a walk-in touchdown. I just have to be better there."
Chiefs HC Andy Reid wasn't as ready to let the rookie off the hook following Sunday's loss.
"(Xavier) Worthy will learn from the one on the sideline," Reid told reporters after the game. "We got to take a peek at it on tape to see exactly what happened, but we were close on that one, on the deep ball."
So what exactly did Chiefs HC Andy Reid learn upon reviewing the tape?
“Yeah, if Pat (Patrick Mahomes) could have seen him earlier, then that’s part of it," Reid said on Monday. "But once you’re there, he (Xavier Worthy) could have dragged his foot to keep it in. He’ll be able to chalk that one up to experience but again, what Pat told you is true and so that combination – those are the little things, though. You talk about seven points there against a good football team, so we’ve got to make sure (that) we take care of business on both ends there.”
This team isn't one to point fingers, but in this case, both Mahomes and Worthy could have done a better job executing this play. It's probably even fair to extend some criticism to the pass protection. If Mahomes can anticipate, find him a little earlier, and get off a better throw that he can step into, there's no doubt that Worthy walks into the end zone for a touchdown. Mahomes knows that better than anyone.
That, of course, didn't happen. But this throw wasn't uncatchable like the deep shot to Worthy that Mahomes put out of bounds against the Denver Broncos in Week 10. He gave Worthy a chance and there was room for him to drag his feet and make a play. In a perfect world, you don't need that. However, in the chaos of an NFL game, things are rarely perfect.
Sometimes you've got to work with the hand you're dealt. Sometimes the best you can hope for as a quarterback is giving your receiver a chance to make a play. Worthy had a chance and it'll be a learning moment for the rookie, but that doesn't mean he's alone in shouldering the blame. Everyone will take a piece of that miss and seek to learn from it as they turn their focus to the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.
Chiefs players are all saying the same things about the Week 11 loss to the Bills and how to fix it
Kansas City Chiefs players seem to share the same opinion on the key to their Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
