Patrick Mahomes still sees good things from Marquez Valdes-Scantling
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Charles Goldman
One of the most inexplicable parts of the Week 16 performance against the Las Vegas Raiders was the disappearance of WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He received the highest snap total of any wide receiver, yet he saw just a single target and no catches on the day.
Valdes-Scantling had seen his snap totals dip before the Week 16 game, likely due to a lack of production and drops in crucial moments throughout the year. He was thrust into a larger role against Las Vegas with wide receiver injuries piling up, but the results simply didn’t show up on the field.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was asked about it on Wednesday and shouldered a lot of the blame.
“That’s on me,” Mahomes said. “I got to find ways to give him the ball. There’s times where he’s open on the football field and I can see it on tape. I just have to find ways to get him the football. If you look at the two games we played against the Bengals last year, he was a big part of those games.”
Valdes-Scantling had eight receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown against the Bengals last season between the regular season and postseason. Despite the tough stretch, Mahomes says that Valdes-Scantling has been the consummate professional and hasn’t once complained about the lack of targets or changes to his role.
“I think the best part about him, is he’s being professional,” Mahomes said. “He’s going to work and even though I’m not giving him the football in some of those moments, he’s blocking his tail off, he’s doing whatever he can to help the football team and you want those guys on the field and playing.”
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Why you won’t find the Chiefs pointing fingers
While members of the Chiefs’ fanbase are looking for someone to blame for the team’s struggles, you won’t find the players pointing any fingers. The team has strong veteran leadership from the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, who have all faced challenges beforehand. They know that to have the success they want to have this season, they need to remain unified and focused on improving, both individually and collectively.
“I’ve been in this league for eight years,” Jones said. “I’ve never been a part of a team that has been successful that points fingers. I think it’s moreso about taking accountability, seeing how much you can do better, seeing what extra 10% you can give to your game, what you can add — rest, sleep, looking at film, extra curriculum after practice, improving yourself — and then it can contribute to the team getting better.”
Hopefully, the extra 10% given can help this team get moving in a positive direction after a disappointing result in Week 16.
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Chiefs Injury Report
Quick Hits:
- Jason Kelce had an interesting take on the Chiefs’ recent sideline flare-ups.
- Frustrations are growing in Chiefs Kingdom with Chiefs OC Matt Nagy.
- The Chiefs still have strong chances to make the playoffs and win the AFC West.
- Week 16 was one of, if not the worst game of Patrick Mahomes’ career as a starter.
- The wide receiver snaps in Kansas City are going in the wrong direction.
Important Dates Ahead:
- Dec. 31: NFL Week 17 - Bengals at Chiefs
- Jan. 7: NFL Week 18 - Chiefs at Chargers
