Chiefs Offense Explodes With Xavier Worthy Back in Lineup, Mahomes Delivers Message

NFL fans can debate all week whether or not the Kansas City Chiefs are "back" after their 37-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl runners up started the season 0-2 with losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.

They got back on track with an underwhelming win against the New York Giants, but they had not scored more than 22 points in the first three games. Then came the offensive explosion at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to bring their overall record to 2-2.

While it came against an injury-riddled Baltimore defense, one thing that was not up for debate after the blowout victory was that Kansas City is a better team with wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the lineup. Just ask Mahomes.

"He's just so explosive," Mahomes said of the 2024 first-round draft pick. "When he gets the football in his hands, defenses have to adjust. He gets so much attention that other guys get open."

Worthy had missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury sustained when he accidentally collided with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the Week 1 loss to the Chargers. Worthy had only played three snaps this season before returning against the Ravens.

It was a memorable return. He led the Chiefs in rushing yards (38), receiving yards (83) and targets (8). Worthy did not find the end zone, but he showed the big play ability that Mahomes referred to with a 35-yard run and a 38-yard catch.

Meanwhile, Mahomes completed 25 of 37 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns — by far his most productive game of the season. Each score was distributed to a different receiver: Hollywood Brown,

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Isiah Pacheco and Tyquan Thornton

For a quarterback who knows how to manipulate defenses as efficiently as Mahomes, having a weapon like Worthy with 4.21 speed opens up the field in a way their offense simply could not given its available personnel in the first three games.

Mahomes will get another top wide receiver back in Week 7 when Rashee Rice is eligible to return from his suspension.

The Chiefs did not make excuses after their slow start to the season, but now that they have shown what they can do with Worthy heavily involved, it is clear how big of a piece they were missing.

Broncos’ Nik Bonitto’s confident take on potentially breaking Von Miller’s record

Nik Bonitto has no problem setting the bar high. After breaking out in 2024 with 13.5 sacks, the Denver Broncos outside linebacker believes he can take the next step and challenge the Broncos' franchise standard.

The single-season sack record for the Broncos is 18.5, set by Von Miller in 2012. Bonitto sees that number as well within reach.

“Very reasonable,” Bonitto said. “As long as I remain healthy, I feel I have the confidence in myself to go do it.”

Bonitto signed a four-year, $106 million extension after his Pro Bowl and All-Pro campaign last season. His 13.5 sacks tied for the sixth-most in franchise history, and with the NFL’s expanded 17-game schedule, he has an additional opportunity to push toward Miller’s mark.

Broncos' pass rush is surging

The Broncos have made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks to open the season. Through three games, Denver leads the NFL with 12 sacks, paced by Bonitto’s three. Jonathan Cooper and Justin Strnad have chipped in two apiece, while defensive lineman Zach Allen has added one sack but leads the league with 10 quarterback hits.

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“It’s insane how fast he gets off the line,” Allen said of Bonitto. “The way he practices, the way he rushes, I could see him breaking that record.”

Bonitto admits reaching 20 sacks, a feat accomplished only 13 times since sacks became official in 1982, would be a much taller task. But the possibility of surpassing Miller’s total motivates him.

“I would definitely want to get as many sacks as I can, but 20, that’s going to be some work,” Bonitto said. “It’s going to be a push for sure, so we’re going to see.”

With Denver at 1-2 but finding consistency on defense, Bonitto’s chase could be one of the season’s most compelling storylines. If he continues at his current pace, he would finish with 17 sacks, leaving him on the doorstep of history.

“The sky’s the limit for someone like Nik,” linebacker Justin Strnad said. “He could have as many sacks as anybody in the NFL.”

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