Chiefs Stock Watch, Week 13: Isiah Pacheco shines on disappointing night
By Ken Coltharp
Patrick Mahomes is the most outstanding athlete who has ever called Kansas City home and is the best quarterback walking the Earth, but even he has limits. His Kansas City Chiefs put up a stinker in a 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers on the road in the semi-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.
Mahomes had a pedestrian game by his lofty standards, going 21 for 33 with 210 yards and 1 touchdown to Noah Gray, but this loss certainly was not on him. Critical penalties that led to sacks during the offense's first two trips to the red zone yielded two field goals, whereas the Packers punched in touchdowns during their first three trips.
Injuries piling up on defense certainly did not help matters either. Drue Tranquill left the game during the first drive with a nasty-looking concussion, and Bryan Cook was carted away with an ankle injury so bad that the broadcast refused to replay it. The offensive and defensive lines were dominated at the point of attack all night, which led to open lanes for Green Bay running backs and all the time in the world for Jordan Love to pick apart the suddenly depleted Chiefs secondary.
However, the biggest reason why the Chiefs lost this game is why they have lost every other game this year. They just do not have the horses in the wide receiver room. Let's look at this week's Stock Watch for Week 13.
Stock Down: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Marquez Valdes-Scantling turned in another typical MVS game, atrocious non-calls aside, with 2 catches for 25 yards. I will always wonder why the Chiefs keep going to him during clutch time. Maybe they think he will inexplicably return to his form during last year's AFC title game?
All-time Chiefs hater Cris Collinsworth floated the idea that, since Valdes-Scantling is tall, they should have him out there on big plays instead of someone like, I don't know... Rashee Rice. Either way, the numbers do not show why MVS should be involved in any capacity, much less in crunch time.
As the highest-paid receiver on the roster, MVS has turned in a grand total of 17 catches for 273 yards, one touchdown, and one of the most gut-wrenching drops you will ever see. This kind of performance is nothing new for MVS, as Green Bay's faithful knows. They have been more than happy to laugh at us for taking him off their hands and paying for the privilege.