KC Chiefs learn a few important lessons in win over Steelers

Jerick McKinnon is a true playmaker

Out of all the offensive players who were going to turn into the primary talking point this week for the Chiefs, very few would have predicted it would be Jerick McKinnon. However it was the Chiefs veteran running back who turned in a dynamic performance against the Steelers from the word go and finished with a final line of 12 carries for 61 yards on the ground and 6 catches for 81 yards and a score through the air..

Coming into the game, the Chiefs were already down their lead back in Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has missed three games with a shoulder, and were likely playing it safe with their primary backup in Darrel Williams, who injured his toe last week. McKinnon and Derrick Gore were set up for larger roles as understudies but few could have seen this level of performance ahead of McKinnon for the night.

For the Chiefs offense to be at its best, it’s gotta include a healthy dose of production from the backfield, especially in the passing game, and McKinnon gives the Chiefs the sort of well-rounded threat to be productive with anything he’s asked to do. He was an underrated signing this offseason after failing to live up to expectations after getting a big free agent deal from the San Francisco 49ers, but injuries were to blame for lost seasons there. Now the Chiefs are reaping the rewards of giving him a chance to remind everyone of what he can do.