‘They’re on the same page’ — Josh Downs shows off chemistry with Patrick Mahomes on first TD with the Kansas City Chiefs
New Kansas City Chiefs WR Josh Downs is making his presence felt on limited offensive snaps in Week 10’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Kansas City Chiefs are already seeing the returns on their NFL trade deadline acquisition of wide receiver Josh Downs.
Leading into Week 10’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Downs was expected to have a rather limited role in the offense. Andy Reid told reporters Friday that he’d learn the game plan and they’d build from there. Ahead of the game, CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said that she expected to see Downs on third downs and on punt returns.
His first touch was scary: a muffed punt that he eventually handled.
As the game went on, things got better for the newcomer. His first catch was a 21-yard gain on first down in the first quarter. He later had a 12-yard gain on first down in the second quarter. Then, he followed it up with his first touchdown in Kansas City. The play showed off the budding chemistry that he has with Patrick Mahomes. No. 15 threw a back shoulder pass to Downs, and he delivered with an impressive grab.
Andy Reid tells Tracy Wolfson exactly what Chiefs Kingdom wants to hear
Before heading to the locker room, Chiefs HC Andy Reid stopped to speak with Tracy Wolfson. She asked about Josh Downs, and Coach Reid delivered a good overview of what he’d seen from him in the first half.
“He’s done a nice job,” Reid told Wolfson. “He hasn’t played a lot, but he’s done a nice job when he’s been in there, run and pass. So we’ll just see where it goes from here. But he and Pat look like they’re on the same page.”
On the same page might be an understatement. Downs had three receptions on four targets for 51 yards and a touchdown in just eight offensive snaps during the first half of Week 10’s game. Only Emmett Johnson had more receiving yards in the first half.
When Downs has been in the game on offense, he’s immediately been Kansas City’s top receiving target. His success so far warrants throwing out the game plan and finding ways to get him more involved.
