Chiefs stock watch: Rashee Rice rises toward prominent role after Week 5
By Ken Coltharp
Stock Up: Justin Watson
Although he has yet to score a regular season touchdown since Week 7 in 2022, Justin Watson is still counted on to make the big plays when called upon. Watson's damage does not materialize in volume production but in the big chunk plays he typically produces. The boom-or-bust receiver was considered reserved for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but Watson has firmly taken hold of that role.
Both of Watson's catches on Sunday came when the Chiefs needed to make something happen. This first one came on a 3rd-and-18 on the first drive out of halftime. The first play out of halftime for the Chiefs' offense was a sack of Mahomes with the Vikings rushing only four men. Mahomes did not have a chance to get rid of it. The second play was a failed tunnel screen to Kadarius Toney that left the offense with a long third-down conversion.
The Chiefs desperately needed to get something going on this drive as it was a tie game on the road, and Minnesota would have seized control of momentum if they were to hold Kansas City to a three and out. Mahomes heaved a prayer about 20 yards downfield with defenders right in his face and none other than Justin Watson straight up BEANTOPS (Shoutout @traphouseSports) Vikings safety Camryn Bynum to give the drive going.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1711141064495759550?s=20
Watson had another spectacular catch in the first half where he kept the tip of his toes inbounds three plays after Kelce left the game. Those two plays show why Watson is integral to what the Chiefs do on offense. I have been guilty of slandering Watson in the past, but I will certainly be giving him the benefit of the doubt going forward if he can continue making big catches in big spots.