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Patrick Mahomes wasted no time in showing that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be a force on offense. On the third play of the first drive, Mahomes found Sammy Watkins on a short pass and the wide receiver did the rest. It was a 68-yard touchdown pass to begin the season.
Mahomes finished with 5,097 yards and 50 touchdown passes in 2018, and he already started to chip away at that number this season. He finished with the NFL’s MVP award last season. The Chiefs offense is looking to do some damage in week one against a strong Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense.
The Sammy Watkins Effect
Watkins has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Since being selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Bills, Watkins has not been able to stay on the field. His rookie season was the only one where he played all 16 games. The Chiefs decided to take a chance on the injury prone receiver and it is paying off so far in 2019.
Watkins spent 2018 with the Chiefs and played 10 games. He had 40 catches in Kansas City last season for 519 yards and three touchdowns. Watkins is a former 1,000 yard receiver in Buffalo and many believe that he can return to that with Mahomes throwing him the ball.
With Watkins contributing, the Chiefs can be a scary offense. Recently extended Tyreek Hill is going to be the No. 1 option for a long time. Travis Kelce has solidified his spot as the best tight end in the league. The Kansas City backfield is crowded all of a sudden with Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy. Something is brewing in Kansas City and Watkins will be a big part of it.
Mahomes Throws First TD
It is no surprise that Mahomes was apart of the first touchdown of the Chiefs’ season. Heading into the Jacksonville game, all eyes were on the matchup of Hill and Jalen Ramsey. That was not on the radar of Mahomes.
The Chiefs took down the Jaguars 30-14 in 2018. The defense of Kansas City came up big in that game picking off Blake Bortles four times. Mahomes eclipsed the 300 yard mark but he was held without a touchdown pass and threw two interceptions. He is already having a better game than last season.
On the third play of the game, Mahomes found Watkins over the middle for 68 yards later it was a touchdown. And the two were not done.
The #Chiefs are back in the end zone as Mahomes hits Watkins on a 49-yard touchdown.
KC 17, Jax 7
2:36 left in the first quarter
Mahomes found Watkins once again in the first quarter. The two have not connected for two touchdowns in the first quarter. With Ramsey shadowing Hill, Watkins is taking full advantage of facing off against the secondary corner.
Hill left the game with an injury. He was carted back to the locker room. This is a significant loss for the Chiefs if he cannot return, but Watkins is doing his best to keep the offense rolling. With Hill out, Ramsey will move over to cover Watkins. All eyes will be on the Chiefs offense as the season progresses and it is off to a hot start.