Chiefs at Vikings - Week 5 - Record: 4-1

For a while I was joining all those expressing deep concerns about our receiving core. In this game it just seemed as if the naysayers were correct -- I was indeed starting to believe them. Our receiving core may really be just not all that.

And then Justin Watson came through.

In a big way Watson made one of the most tippy-toe of tippy-toe catches, reaching high to pluck a Mahomes toss at the sideline and barely getting the thread of the tip of both shoes down in the field of play, clutching the ball a nanosecond before sliding right on out-of-bounds. It was so close they had to look at it on replay, and sure enough, he made the play.

Thing is, just as impressive was another snag by Watson. Mahomes heaved the ball out to the place where Watson was, around midfield somewhere, and after the defender reached up to pick it Watson snatched it from his grasp.

Good thing, because this young receiving core definitely needs some of that action for inspiration. Here's the scoop on every other WR for today, just because it is truly the major talk regarding the Chiefs offense these days. Pretty much in order of the guys' rank, as it is pretty much considered. In my view Watson has solidified his role as No. 1, here're the rest:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Eh. Once he could have had an easy touchdown if he continued his route into the endzone after a Mahomes scramble, but he did have a nice catch in the right flat for a needed 1st down.

Skyy Moore. Eh two. He is not getting as many snaps and targets, but I do remember he did make a nice grab from a very high Mahomes pass. I don't think anyone should give up on him.

Kadarius Toney. The guy definitely has skill, but I'm just wondering if he can run deeper routes and get open well enough further downfield. They are just not throwing to him deeper than ten yards for some reason.

Rashee Rice. Definitely making his way up the ladder here. The guy is truly a beast -- big, strong, and fast especially after the catch. If he keeps learning, I mean, wow. He had a terrific slant route touchdown catch today.

Justyn Ross. Okay, we finally got to see some of this guy on the field, with some nice catches. He did drop a couple and he does look very raw, but still. I know everyone reeeally wants to see more of him out there.

About the whole WR thing Andy Reid said something like they like what they see but they've just got to work them in and keep them learning. Sounds about right. All of them can do well, and really, the one who shined the most tonight was Watson, But Reid has got such an imaginative playbook -- for one play Toney ran a wildcat -- and Mahomes is throwing the ball to everyone that the most experience they get on the field will only mean better things to come.

One more shout-out (among many that there could be), this one to L'Jarius Sneed. Oh my did he shut down Justin Jefferson. At one point early Jefferson was doing a bunch of flopping and flailing to get penalty flags against us, and on a subsequent play Sneed just hauled off on him. As the play started Sneed just deliberately shoved his hands all up into his face shield, knocking Jefferson back off his feet. Oh yes he got penalized for it, but really, it was genius.

In no uncertain terms Sneed had to make the statement. Don't eff with us. No more of that crap. You want some of this, here it is.

Jefferson was a total non-factor for the entire game. 

In the second half, however, he went out with a hamstring pull, but this was purely that evil artificial turf they still have in these stadiums. Travis Kelce twisted his ankle earlier on that turf, but he later came back and even scored one of our touchdowns.

Still. Please, get rid of that artificial turf. I'm really surprised the players' union and even just plain NFL for that matter doesn't address this more fully.

Anyway, we have a quick turn around to play the still-woeful Broncos on Thursday night. I keep thinking this team has to beat the Chiefs sometime. Yes, it could be Thursday night, it could, this is the NFL -- this vaunted 4-1 Chiefs team has still had four of its five games decided by only one score.

But again, weird, as if we don't all already know this, the last Broncos win over the Chiefs was that other Thursday night game in September of 2015. Eight years ago. 15 such game match-ups ago.

So is this Thursday night the time the Broncos can pull it off? Again, could be, but with the way both teams look right now, not so sure. I should admit I just peeked just now, and the Chiefs are already ten-point favorites.

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The photograph is from David Gray at the official Chiefs site. Thank you.

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