The Kansas City Chiefs have no margin for error anymore. Each loss makes qualifying for the NFL postseason a bigger pipe dream. More or less, head coach Andy Reid's team needs to win out to make sure to make the playoffs if the Chiefs want to avoid their first early offseason since 2014.
The end of the season isn't exactly a time to try out new things, but the Chiefs might have no choice but to shake things up before it's too late. The secondary has been a sore spot for Kansas City as of late, and given how some veterans are performing, rookie cornerback Nohl Williams could emerge as a big solution to this team's needs.
Chiefs Must Stop Ignoring Nohl Williams in Week 14 & Beyond
Chiefs fans have been frustrated to see Williams barely touch the field this season, all while defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has trusted Chamarri Cooper through thick and thin this season. It doesn't help that the Chiefs have also been willing to throw free-agent bust Kristian Fulton into the fire at times, making their mishandling of Williams even more concerning.
It's important to acknowledge that the rookie CB hasn't been perfect. Williams did give up a big play in the game vs. the Buffalo Bills — a 28-yard catch, but that has been his lone mistake this season. Pro Football Focus isn't the end-all, be-all, but it's easy to see why Williams deserves more playing time when comparing his coverage grade to cornerbacks with at least 100 coverage snaps on the team:
- Trent McDuffie: 76.1 (399)
- Nohl Williams: 74.7 (118)
- Jaylen Watson: 69.8 (414)
Overall, Williams' coverage grade is seventh-best among Chiefs defenders, regardless of position.
Despite that, the rookie cornerback has seen his playing time go down drastically in recent weeks. He was a healthy scratch in the two games after the bye and was limited to seven defensive snaps vs. the Dallas Cowboys last week.
This team just allowed George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb to combine for 200 yards and one touchdown. As a whole, the Cowboys' passing game had 320 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and that's unacceptable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Chiefs' Upcoming Schedule is a Chance for Nohl Williams to Step Up
The Chiefs' upcoming schedule doesn't feature many proficient passing offenses, which is the perfect chance for Williams to get some looks. They'll face the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, and Las Vegas Raiders. That being said, they simply cannot afford to lose another game, much less against a divisional foe.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert is dealing with a finger injury that's not believed to be long-term, but even if he's banged up, he will always pose a big threat with guys like Quenstin Johnson, Keenan Allen, and Ladd McConkey. They already put up 304 passing yards and 27 points on this defense. There's also the Broncos in Week 17, which is an even bigger game after Denver beat K.C. in Week 11.
Fortunately, the clash with the Raiders should be way easier for the Chiefs. A showdown with the lowly Titans is also a potential confidence-inducing game for Williams.
But before they get to any of those teams, the Chiefs must beat the Texans in Week 14. Houston QB C.J. Stroud hasn't been perfect this year, as he's battled through injuries and a lack of weapons, but he is coming off his second-best passing yards total (276) of the season against a talented Indianapolis Colts defense. Kansas City could use Williams to help him with what Stroud does.
Spagnuolo needs to tweak things around, and with a rookie who has given up just eight catches on 16 targets for 61 yards and a 59.6 passer rating, the answer is staring right at him. Williams has proven that he can make the most out of his limited playing time, proving that he's ready for his big break in December.