The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten off to a perfect start to their season, winning their first five games for the fifth time in franchise history. With their bye week now behind them, the Chiefs will face a grueling 12-game stretch to end the season. Despite dealing with numerous injuries, the bye week came at a crucial time for the team. However, the question remains whether they can withstand the physical demands of such a demanding schedule as they aim to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Their first major test comes this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl.
Andy Reid Praises JuJu Smith-Schuster
Speaking at the pre-game press conference, Chiefs head coachAndy Reid was asked about his receiving corps and the performance of JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has stepped up as the team’s WR1 due to injuries to other players. Reid praised Smith-Schuster’s work ethic and the trust he has earned from Patrick Mahomes and therefore of the coaches and team. He also highlighted the attention that Travis Kelce draws from opposing defenses, which creates opportunities for other receivers to make big plays.
Reid’s comments are a testament to the depth and versatility of the Chiefs’ offense. While they may not have the same receiving corps as they did in the Super Bowl, the team has a proven track record of overcoming adversity with the additions of JuJu, Kareem Hunt and Xavier Worthy. JuJu Smith-Schuster, in particular, has stepped up when his number has been called, like in their last matchup, he caught seven passes for 130 yards. Remember in 2022 when JuJu was in the Chiefs he caught 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns. With Travis Kelce commanding double teams, JuJu and Worthy will need to continue his strong play if the Chiefs want to remain undefeated.
A Different Look for the Chiefs Offense in the Super Bowl rematch
The latest injury report shows that JuJu Smith-Schuster was a limited participant on Thursday due to a hamstring issue, but it won’t be a factor on Sunday. He’s not the only one with injury issues on offense; Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), Mecole Hardman (knee), and Derrick Nnadi (triceps) were full participants in practice. So once again, we’ll see Kelce, Hunt, Smith-Schuster, and Worthy as the playmakers with the most snaps in the upcoming game.
Compared to the Super Bowl matchup eight months ago, the Chiefs’ receiving corps has undergone significant changes, mainly because of injuries. In that last Super Bowl, 8 months ago, eight Chiefs players caught a pass for Patrick Mahomes, of those eight only half (Kelce, Gray, Watson and Hardman) are still on the team and between the three of them they have fewer catches (20) than Kelce alone (24). So JuJu will have to play like he did in the last game where he had 7 catches and 130 yards, if the Chiefs want to stay undefeated they will need the other receivers not named Travis to show up against the 49ers who know their opponent’s weaknesses and strengths very well, I mean two Super Bowls played against them in the last 5 years, that’s what I’m talking about.
