The Kansas City Chiefs took a tough 28-24 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 8, but amidst the sting of defeat, a couple of young playmakers saw their roles explode, with one rookie stealing the show in a massive way. While the starting offensive line, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce were out there, it was a newcomer from the backfield who made the most noise.
Allen Steps Up Big Amidst WR Rotation
Rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen had his season-high workload in Denver, pulling in 30 snaps, with 22 of those coming on pass plays. That’s a significant jump, especially when you consider he out-snapped second-year wideouts Jalen Royals and Andrew Armstrong by 8 snaps. Allen caught two passes on three targets for 20 yards, and one of those misses could have been huge downfield. It looked like he wasn’t anticipating the ball in tight coverage and slowed on his route, but it was the kind of tight-window play he was making in training camp that got everyone hyped. To put his 20 yards into perspective, Xavier Worthy, who led all skill-position players with 64 snaps (94% of offensive snaps), only managed 13 yards. Meanwhile, Rashee Rice, returning from a hamstring tweak, seemed to be on a pitch count, logging 38 snaps (56%).
Emmett Johnson: A New Star Explodes From The Backfield
Alright, hold onto your hats, because Emmett Johnson just had a breakout game that is going to have everyone talking. The rookie running back played just 13 offensive snaps, but he made every single one count. He only had one handoff, but that single carry went for 15 yards on a tackle-breaking, highlight-reel play. But the real fireworks came in the passing game. Johnson saw 12 snaps on pass plays, running routes on 11 of them. He caught all five of the passes thrown his way, racking up an unbelievable 128 yards, including a ridiculous 73-yard touchdown catch-and-run in the first half! His 143 yards from scrimmage absolutely dwarfed Ken Walker’s 84 yards, despite Johnson playing only a quarter of Walker’s 55 snaps. Oh, and he also added 9 snaps on special teams, breaking off a 44-yard kickoff return on his only attempt. With return specialist Nikko Remigio struggling, Johnson has got to be a strong consideration for more work.
This kind of explosive performance from Johnson is impossible to ignore. After a tough loss, the emergence of a player like this gives you something real to look forward to. The question now is, how quickly can the coaching staff get him more touches? Because what he showed in Denver was electric, and fans want to see more.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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