3 Most Disappointing Chiefs From Way-Too-Close Week 1 Win
By Jovan Alford
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs had a battle on their hands to open up the 2024 season on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens were looking to get their revenge on the Chiefs, who won the AFC title game last year in Baltimore. However, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs escaped with a 27-20 win over Lamar Jackson and company.
There were a lot of positives to take away from Kansas City’s Week 1 win over the Ravens, but also a few players that disappointed.
Chiefs fans shouldn’t be sounding the alarm about these three members since it's only one game. Nonetheless, they must play better in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
1. Juju Smith-Schuster
The veteran wide receiver shockingly returned to Kansas City last month after losing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to a shoulder injury in the first preseason game.
Smith-Schuster was cut by the New England Patriots after their first preseason game. The vet wideout signed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Patriots last season after spending the 2022 campaign with Kansas City.
The 27-year-old wide receiver has a lot to prove this season as he struggled immensely last season in New England, when he posted a meager 29 receptions and 260 yards. That paled in comparison to the 78-933 and three touchdowns he had in first year with the Chiefs in 2022.
Unfortunately, Smith-Schuster didn’t get off to a great start in his return to KC.
The 6-foot-1 wide receiver only saw one target in Thursday night’s game, which ended up being a drop inside the red zone. If Smith-Schuster comes down with the ball, he would’ve put Kansas City on the goal line. Instead, the Chiefs had to settle for a Harrison Butker 32-yard field goal.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster nearly hauls it in, but the pass falls incomplete.
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 6, 2024
Harrison Butkers follows with a a 32-yard field goal. pic.twitter.com/Ac0OiKUL2r
When Smith-Schuster made his debut with the Chiefs in 2022, he posted six receptions (eight targets) for 79 yards against Arizona.
Now granted, Kansas City’s offense is way better at the wide receiver spot with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. However, Smith-Schuster has to take advantage of the targets he does get.