Chiefs' improvements on offense vs. Texans coincides with confidence they showed in WR Hollywood Brown
Wide receiver Hollywood Brown did not disappoint in his season debut during the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 16 win over the Houston Texans. As expected, the Chiefs eased Brown in following his 14-week stint on injured reserve with a sternoclavicular joint injury. He played just 20 of 74 offensive snaps, but made the most of it, catching […]
Wide receiver Hollywood Brown did not disappoint in his season debut during the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 16 win over the Houston Texans.
As expected, the Chiefs eased Brown in following his 14-week stint on injured reserve with a sternoclavicular joint injury. He played just 20 of 74 offensive snaps, but made the most of it, catching five passes on eight targets for 45 yards.
That is very solid production from Brown in his first regular season game action since January of last season. Going beyond the statistics, as Chiefs team reporter Matt McMullen pointed out on X, he also made a big impact in crucial situations.
Brown's first catch of the day was on a pivotal fourth-and-one play in which he gained 12 yards, leading to an eventual Chiefs touchdown. Later in the game on a third-and-seven, Brown made a 20-yard reception that also led to a touchdown. For Kansas City's coaching staff to show confidence in Brown during those critical instances, it proves just how high they are on him.
It's not a coincidence that the Chiefs had arguably their best offensive output of the season with Brown now in the mix. He has already helped open things up for other pass catchers, as quarterback Patrick Mahomes hit eight different receivers against a very good Texans defense.
Like last year, the Chiefs' offense is clicking at the right time as we near the postseason. Brown, Xavier Worthy, and DeAndre Hopkins are an electric trio of receivers, and not to be forgotten are an improved Noah Gray and Travis Kelce at tight end. On top of that, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have made for a great running back tandem.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid praised Brown for his effort on Saturday, and discussed the dynamic of having so many receiving options.
“He (Hollywood Brown) had the big fourth down one (play)," Reid said. "The great thing about all those guys (the receivers) is that they all want to play (but) we just have one ball. I try to explain that to them and they all want to go make the play – and he’s like that. He loves playing and he knew he was doing well in there and just wanted more –he was feeling well, I should’ve said, not doing well, but feeling well.”
It's been a while since Mahomes and Reid have had this many quality weapons to work with. Brown's return has come at the perfect time, and he'll be a big part of Kansas City's passing game moving forward. Brown also has the opportunity to make a big enough impact to earn a quality contract for next year as he hits free agency.
Chiefs will have an opportunity to break another lingering franchise curse this postseason
They’ve broken a lot of them lately.
