KC Chiefs: Meaningful stats from the 2020 regular season

Let’s take a glance at some meaningful stats following the Chiefs’ regular season

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up the regular season with a junior varsity loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The loss means nothing to the Chiefs’ primary goal of a Super Bowl Championship, so instead of looking at some numbers from the game, let’s unpack a few numbers from the season.

4,740

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the league in passing yards until Week 17, when he was overtaken by Deshaun Watson. The Houston Texans’ quarterback played all four quarters in his season finale and finished with 4,823 passing yards. Hopefully, history will remember that Mahomes was only surpassed by Watson because the former was a healthy scratch in Week 17.

2 and 3

Tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill finished 2nd and 3rd in the AFC in receiving yardage. Kelce set an NFL record for tight ends this season with 1,406 yards, and Hill racked up 1,211 yards. The pair also finished 1st and 2nd in the conference in touchdowns. Hill scored 15, Kelce scored 11. Kelce also led the NFL in receptions that went for first downs with 79.

5,005

It is worth pointing out that even though Mahomes did not eclipse 5,000 yards passing, the team did. If you do the math on Mahomes’ 4,740 yards and add in Chad Henne‘s 248 yards in Week 17, you’re just shy of 5,000. But don’t forget punter Tommy Townsend‘s rocket pass to receiver Byron Pringle on a fake punt against the Jets. That 13-yard completion ended up being the difference-maker as the Chiefs became the only team to surpass 5,000 yards through the air this season.

62.7%

The Chiefs’ defense finished 5th in the NFL in completion percentage allowed, with just 62.7% of passes completed. The team excelled particularly at defending wide receivers.

For a team whose perceived weakness entering the season was at cornerback, the secondary did a sparkling job in 2020 overall. They helped overcome for the unit’s pass rush struggles. However, this led to other problems. The Chiefs had major difficulties against running backs in the passing game, allowing a league-worst 846 yards receiving to opposing backs.

6

Safety Tyrann Mathieu led all NFL safeties with 6 interceptions in 2020. It was another banner year for the 5’9″, 190-lb. safety, who finished third in the league in that category among all defenders. Only Xavien Howard of Miami and J.C. Jackson of New England (both cornerbacks) had more picks this year.