Chiefs vs. Chargers: Vital lessons learned from Week 2

Tommy Townsend is an asset, too

The Chiefs have some of the best specialists in the game led by one of the best special teams coaches around, but even they can all get overshadowed at times by a team with the best quarterback around and an offense that generates all of the headlines (and attention).

Even among the specialists, however, there’s a pecking order. Harrison Butker is the most appreciated of the bunch with his leg coming through in some major moments for the Chiefs over the years. He’s got an excellent blend of accuracy and power which is why the team locked him up with a long-term extension. But the Chiefs also have another nice young weapon at punter—a rarely used item, to be sure—in Tommy Townsend.

On Thursday night, Townsend became a primary weapon, much to the chagrin of fans, but the good news is that he made the most of it with one booming kick after another. He sent one reeling 74 yards and often put the Chiefs in solid position with great hang time. Another punt almost was downed at the two-yard line but instead was called a touchback.

Townsend isn’t a guy who earns a lot of acclaim, but that doesn’t mean he’s not capable of it. On a night where the Chiefs offense was sputtering for most of the game, Townsend came up big for the Chiefs.