In the first half of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, it appeared that rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy was poised to have a huge day.
Worthy recorded four receptions (tying a career high) for 61 yards and a touchdown, also adding seven rushing yards – all coming in the first quarter. The Chiefs’ offensive coaching staff was using him creatively, lining him up in the backfield and putting him in motion before the snap.
Then, early in the second quarter, Worthy broke wide open and caught a pass down the sideline, but it was ruled incomplete as he was unable to get both feet in bounds. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes took most of the blame for the miscue, appearing to have thrown the ball too close to the sideline, leading Worthy out of bounds.
Mahomes was asked after the game if there’s a timing issue between himself and Worthy.
“I mean, it’s probably just me just throwing it more in bounds to the guy (Worthy) that’s wide open for a touchdown,” Mahomes said. “So, if I throw it in bounds, it’s a walk in touchdown. I have to be better there.”
That makes for the second time in as many weeks that Mahomes has missed Worthy on a deep pass that would have gone for an easy touchdown. The Chiefs were able to survive that mistake last week in a win over the Denver Broncos, but weren’t so lucky this time around.
Mahomes also went on to say that he hopes they can keep Worthy more involved throughout an entire game in the future.
“Xavier came out hot, making plays,” Mahomes said. “Hopefully we can keep him more involved throughout the entirety of the game. That goes with me giving him chances.”
It’s puzzling that the Chiefs went away from Worthy after such a great start. Following the incompletion on the deep ball, Worthy did not see a single target the rest of the game. One would think they would at least manufacture a couple of easy touches for him, either out of the backfield or on some quick passes. The K.C. offense sputtered in the second half, scoring on just one possession.
