Just nine months after suffering a gruesome knee injury, Patrick Mahomes got back on the field and put up 31 points on one of the toughest defenses in football. He looked to make a statement early on, even diving in headfirst for his first touchdown of the season.
However, the final score might be a bit misleading. That's not because the Chiefs didn't dominate the Denver Broncos in every aspect of the game — they did — but because the passing game still left plenty to be desired.
Maybe Mahomes was a bit rusty, or the pass protection wasn't ideal. But more than that, the wide receivers didn't create much separation, and all eyes will be on that group again when they host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2.
The Kansas City Chiefs' wide receivers corps must step up
One would assume that in a day when the Chiefs put up 31 points, the pass catchers would've shown up. Instead, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton combined for a grand total of five catches for 37 yards; Thornton didn't even have a reception.
Of course, some might argue that they were going against an elite defense, and that's fair. That said, the Broncos missed a whopping 28 tackles in this one, so it's not like they were at their best, even with Patrick Surtain II roaming free in the secondary.
We can also talk about Mahomes coming back from injury. He was understandably rusty, hitting just 15 of 27 passes for 184 yards, but it wasn't all on him. He was playing behind makeshift offensive tackles and trying to throw receivers open.
Week 1 can be misleading, for better or worse. It might take a while before they get into a groove, especially considering that most of the starters didn't even suit up for the preseason. Also, at least they now know they have a true workhorse running back who can take pressure off the quarterback.
That said, this core of wide receivers entered the season with major question marks. Can Xavier Worthy finally live up to the expectations as a former first-round pick? Is Tyquan Thornton more than a one-trick pony and vertical threat? And, perhaps more importantly, will Rashee Rice earn a contract extension?
The Chiefs' record might read 1-0, and there are plenty of reasons to feel excited after this win, but with 16 regular-season contests left, those questions remain unanswered.
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