The Kansas City Chiefs return from their bye week searching for rhythm, redemption, and reaffirmation in their young offensive stars. Following a deflating 28–21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Andy Reid made it clear: he’s still confident in wide receiver Xavier Worthy — but the second-year playmaker has to deliver.
A Tough Night in Buffalo
The Week 9 clash at Highmark Stadium was supposed to be a statement game between two AFC powerhouses. Instead, it turned into a frustrating outing for Kansas City’s high-powered attack. Patrick Mahomes completed just 15 of 34 passes for 250 yards and an interception — his lowest completion rate of the season. The Bills’ defense, led by rookie corner Maxwell Hairston, kept the Chiefs’ aerial game bottled up.
Worthy, one of the fastest receivers in football, was held to only three catches for 23 yards as Hairston shadowed him all afternoon. The rookie corner even notched an interception, sealing a breakout performance that underscored Kansas City’s growing offensive inconsistency.
When the final whistle blew, the Chiefs had fallen to 5-4 — a rare midseason mark for a team accustomed to dominating the AFC West.
Andy Reid’s Public Challenge
During the bye, Andy Reid shouldered blame for the team’s struggles but also made a point to defend his young receiver. Speaking to local media, Reid explained that the Chiefs’ game plan often dictates which targets shine.
“We try to get them all involved the best we can,” Reid said. “Some games you’re going to have it where they’re taking so many away — that’s how it goes. We’re not down on Xavier Worthy. We know he’s a good player, and we like to get the ball in the good players’ hands. It just hasn’t rolled that way.”
For Reid, whose offense has long relied on dynamic playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, the remarks carried both reassurance and expectation. Worthy remains central to Kansas City’s long-term plans, but the team needs his speed and production to reemerge as they chase a playoff run.
Worthy’s Up-and-Down Season
Worthy’s 2025 campaign has been turbulent from the start. In the season opener, a collision with Kelce left him with a dislocated shoulder and cost him two games. Since returning, flashes of brilliance have been tempered by inconsistency. His best game came in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, when he hauled in five passes for 83 yards. A 53-yard outing versus the Washington Commanders in Week 8 and a lone touchdown against the Detroit Lions in October round out a modest stat line for a player once heralded as Mahomes’ next deep-threat weapon.
Through seven games, Worthy sits with just one score and no 100-yard performances — a steep drop from the expectations surrounding his breakout potential. Still, Reid’s vote of confidence signals that the Chiefs’ staff believes his time is coming.
Turning Point Ahead
Kansas City’s bye week provided a chance to reset mentally and physically. The Chiefs currently sit third in the AFC West — an unusual position for a team that typically cruises through the division. Now, their next challenge looms large: an 8-2 Denver Broncos squad riding high atop the standings.
The Chiefs’ offensive cohesion will be tested immediately. Denver’s defense ranks among the NFL’s top five against the pass, meaning Mahomes and Worthy will have to rediscover timing and trust quickly.
Reid, ever the optimist, said there’s “good energy” in the building despite recent adversity. His message is clear — accountability without panic, belief without complacency.
For Worthy, that means opportunity. The Chiefs drafted him to stretch defenses and provide the spark Kansas City once took for granted. After a quiet start and a public nudge from his coach, the second-year receiver now has a chance to turn potential into production — starting Sunday in a divisional showdown that could redefine the Chiefs’ season.
