How KC Chiefs can succeed even with Patrick Mahomes’ injury

Juju Smith-Schuster, Kadarius Toney, and Jerick McKinnon

Patrick Mahomes won’t be able to scramble around and extend plays on Sunday. That means a big part of KC’s offense won’t be available to them. Instead, Andy Reid needs to have a well-schemed, quick passing game. The Bengals will definitely be ready for that style of attack, which means that KC likely isn’t going to catch them off guard so if that kind of attack is going to work the Chiefs are going to have to have guys step up and win matchups.

The trio of Juju Smith-Schuster, Kadarius Toney, and Jerick McKinnon are all capable of playing a huge part in their quick passing game. In fact, you can argue that all three are tailor-made for that kind of attack. Juju has been a great possession-type receiver this season and he has to be reliable and make contested catches on Sunday. Toney is an explosive run-after-the-catch weapon and Reid has to find ways to scheme him open in space where Mahomes can get him the ball quickly and let him create after the catch. McKinnon is fantastic in pass protection, but when he does that enough you can also use that to your advantage and slip him out into the flat or call up deliberate screen plays.

If Kelce has a big day and each of those three guys can contribute another 4-5 receptions apiece, the Chiefs can still have a great day on offense. It may also take a few deep shots to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to keep the safeties back and honest. Andy Reid has his work cut out for him this week in coming up with plays designed for so many different guys AND establishing the run all when the defense is going to be expecting him to do just that. If Reid is able to do just that and the pass catchers step up there is still one thing that has to happen to ensure that Mahomes can get the job done.