Forgotten Chiefs Star is Obvious Solution to Offense's Playoff Struggles

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs the ball against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game this Sunday in what should be another classic playoff matchup between the two talented teams. Patrick Mahomes is a perfect 3-0 against Josh Allen in the postseason, though the Bills have beaten the Chiefs in four straight regular-season contests, including this year.

If Kansas City is going to advance, the offense has to improve. The Chiefs were sluggish for most of the Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans, struggling to get anything going in the passing game. Some of that can be attributed to rust and a ferocious Houston defensive front, yet there's one bizarre decision that's clearly hurting the group.

Standout WR DeAndre Hopkins, who was acquired midseason as a reliable option for Mahomes, played only 16 snaps on Saturday (31%). If this team is going to three-peat, Hopkins simply must be more involved.

Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins Plays Only 16 Snaps vs. Texans

Hopkins finished with no catches on just one target. He joined Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster as veterans with goose eggs, prompting Mahomes to say that he knows the Chiefs need to spread the ball around more.

During the regular season, it made sense for Kansas City to limit Hopkins' snaps to send a worse draft pick in the Tennessee Titans trade. Those restrictions are now lifted, so to only put Hopkins on the field 16 times in a game that your offense is underwhelming makes no sense.

While he's not the bonafide No. 1 option he once was, Hopkins is still an adept possession receiver with some of the best hands in the NFL. That sounds like a guy you'd want on the field! Obviously, Travis Kelce is Mahomes' guy in the playoffs and he was once again marvelous. That said, it'll make Kelce's life easier if Hopkins or Brown can make an impact as well.

The Chiefs are narrow 1.5-point favorites over the Bills at FanDuel Sportsbook with +220 odds to win the Super Bowl. By getting Hopkins going against Buffalo, Kansas City can find that winning formula that will lead to a Lombardi Trophy.

More Kansas City Chiefs News and Rumors:

feed

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.