KC Chiefs vs. Raiders: Instant insights from an AFC West showdown

Clyde is going to add in the ground game

Darrel Williams has done an effective job in relief of Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the Chiefs lead back has missed a few weeks with an MCL sprain—an injury suffered back in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. Williams has exhibited strength and grit as a power back running behind the Chiefs interior maulers, and he’ll remain a solid option for the Chiefs even when Edwards-Helaire is back.

However, it’s also clear that the Chiefs are going to be that much more effective and efficient on offense when they can add greater speed and agility at the position and that’s what Edwards-Helaire brings. If Williams isn’t running north-south, then the offense can stall on a lost play or minimal gain—the very plays that CEH will be able to take for extra yardage.

With the way this offensive line is coming together, Edwards-Helaire is going to look very good running the football. Assuming he can stay healthy, it should also help his stock for the doubters who still regret the Chiefs using a first-round pick on him in 2020.

Also having said all that.

Darrel Williams works some magic

It’s possible for both of these things to be true: for Clyde Edwards-Helaire to be a welcome addition and for Darrel Williams to have looked very good in his absence.

On Sunday night, Williams put on a helluva show, especially in the passing game, by catching all nine of his targets for a total 101 yards and a touchdown that looked like the sort of exemplary jump-and-grab effort that even the best wide receivers in the league might have trouble making:

At that point, it was impossible to want to relegate Williams to the bench too much. He finished the game with 144 yards from scrimmage and was a big part of the team’s offensive improvement. We hope the Chiefs are able to find room for both guys in the backfield going forward knowing they have such reliable weapons on the depth chart.