Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

Harrison Butker’s stats should go down (and that’s a good thing)

By Farzin Vousoughian

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 10: Kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a field goal during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 10: Kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs kicks a field goal during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Harrison Butker had a record-setting performance as a rookie, but his statistics could take a back seat in 2018. For the Chiefs, that would be a good thing.

When Kansas City’s offense could not come away with a score in 2018, it was Harrison Butker who came through to help put points on the board. While the Chiefs offense dominated with a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receivers at tight end and wide receiver, the offense was inconsistent at times. Especially in the red zone, finishing 29th in the league with a 45 percent scoring rate in the red zone.

When needed, that is when Butker lifted the team during his historic rookie season. Despite not playing the first three games while a member of the Carolina Panthers, the Chiefs claimed him off waivers and started him in Week 4 against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football.

More from Arrowhead Addict

Although Butker missed his first ever attempt with the Chiefs that night, he went on to make the next three. That includes a 43-yard field goal to take the lead with just four seconds left on the clock.

Even though Butker did not play the first three games of the NFL season, he led the AFC in field goals made with 38. He tied second overall among the league, finishing one field goal behind San Francisco 49ers’ Robbie Gould’s 39 makes.

Butker’s 38 field goal makes is the single-season best in franchise history. It is also the most field goals made by an NFL rookie in NFL history. Ali Haji-Sheikh of the New York Giants broke the record in 1983 with 35 field goals as a rookie. Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh tied that record in 2012. Butker, the sixth rookie to make 30 or more field goals since 2000, broke the record with ease.

Butker shattered the record in Week 16 after making five-of-six field goals against the Miami Dolphins, helping the Chiefs win the AFC West last season.

But it is likely that Butker’s high total of field goals could go down, and for good reasons.

There is a lot of hype behind Kansas City’s offense with Patrick Mahomes taking the reigns under center, along with Pro Bowlers at running back, tight end and wide receiver, each coming off 1,000-yard seasons. Alongside Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, add in the fact that the Chiefs added wideout Sammy Watkins and will get back Chris Conley from injury.

As far as other wide receivers who could also contribute, DeAnthony Thomas can do some damage at times with his speed while Demarcus Robinson showed flashes in eight starts.

If Kansas City’s offense lives up to the hype, Butker’s statistics go down. Obviously, that is a good thing if the offense can improve. The Chiefs tied eighth in offensive touchdowns per game with five others. But given the overall success by the offense with individual statistics, there is a case that they should have had more touchdowns.

Next: Will Eric Berry return to Pro Bowl form in 2018?

We still don’t know for sure how Mahomes will look as he enters his first year as the primary quarterback for the Chiefs. But as mentioned earlier, if he lives up to the hype, the offense will finish more drives on a better note, giving us less appearances from the special teams unit.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News