Chiefs: First Half of 2023 Review

Laddie Morse

Let’s take a look at the first half of the 2023 season for the Kansas City Chiefs. While many have come to the conclusion that the Chiefs defense is monumentally great, the offense hasn’t had that kind of reception this year… so far. Patrick Mahomes promises it will get fixed, I question if it can get fixed in time for the playoffs. We’ll see about that. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of those offensive plays that have made up this seasons scoring… from the offensive side of the ball.

Here’s the list of games the Chiefs have played so far.

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Week 1: Hosting the Lions

Each game has been memorable and here’s a list of plays that were just that — “catch”y (0:12).

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Many fans in the KIngdom have had high hopes for both Skyy Moore and rashee Rice. Moore was thought to be a possible #1WR last year — at least by me — and this year that mantle has been placed o nthe shoulders of Rashee Rice. Rice is nearly the same size as JuJu Smith-Schuster so I’m sure that had somethign to do with his being made the 55th overall pick in the NFL Draft this year. Here, we can see his value. Fans are still awiting for him to get more targets.

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The other TD scored by the Chiefs in game one vs the Lions was by TE Blake Bell (0:09):

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Week 2: At the Jaguars

In game two, Chiefs rebounded with a win (after losing in a close one to the Lions) and here’s second year WR Skyy Moore finally makign his presence known (0:06):

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Sooner or later you knew Travis Kele was going to score. Here his 9-yard TD catch against the Jags (0:32):

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Week 3: Hosting the Bears

The next game up was against the Chicago Bears and there was plenty of scoring in this 41-to-10 game. First up was Jerick McKinnon on an inside pitch (0:27):

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Next, CEH got into the action (0:12):

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Then, of course, Isiah Pacheco got his score (0:08):

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Week 4: At the Jets

After a field goal by Harrison Butker (we’ll get to him later), Isiah Pacheco had one of his many TDs (0:12).

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TE Noah Gray pitched in to offer up his TD (0:10):

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Week 5: At the Vikings

Against the Vikings, RB Isiah Pacheco turns in another fine TD (0:09):

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With the score tied at 13 all, Rashee Rice gives us another excellent performance (0:10):

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Of course, TE Travis Kelce steps up to score once again (0:07):

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Week 6: Hosting the Broncos

With the Chiefs up 3-to-0, Kadarius Toney finally steps up to score a TD (0:10):

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That play looked a lot like the play he scored in the Super Bowl, but now no one is seeing much value in that. Andy Reid made a statement about Travis Kele and Taylor Swift here (0:07):

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Somewhere along the line this season, Taylor Swift graced us with her presence and Kelce’s jersey sales went through the roof. Proves what some “Swiftie” support can do for a guy.

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Week 7: Hosting the Chargers

Marquez Valdes_Scantling proved his worth in game seven vs the Los Angeles Chargers in Arrowhead (0:15):

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Travis Kelce also scored a TD in this game:

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With the scored tied at ten each, Rashee Rice made a grab at the back of the End Zone to score another TD (0:14):

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With the Chiefs up byt seven, 24-to-17, Isiah Pacheco scored on a short pass in the flat and then taking it into the End Zone (0:09):

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Week 8: At the Broncos

With the game on the line, second year man, WR Skyy Moore dropped a critical pass in the End Zone (0:14):

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I’m not blaming that loss to the Broncos on Skyy Moore but the Chiefs could only muster 3 field goals and lost by a score of 24-to-9. Harrison Butker has been perfect this season and has not missed a Field Goal or extra Point all year. Let hope and pray he keeps that up. In the meantime, I’m not so sure K.C. can win any other games this year… if they don’t score touchdowns. At least one in a game. Here’s Harrison Butker kicking a 60 yard Field Goal against the Broncos:

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Week 9: Hosting the Dolphins (in Germany)

With the scored tied at 0-0, rookie WR Rashee Rice proves he could be the man by breaking tackles on the way to the End Zone (0:09):

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Patrick Mahomes hits Jerick McKinnon on a crossing route with TE Travis Kelce running interference and taking up to three defenders with him, and Jet scores without anyone touching him. Chiefs go up 14-to-nothing:

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The play of the year — so far — was made by defenders Trent McDuffie, Mike Edwards and Bryan Cook (1:51):

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The call by Mitch Holthus made thie play even more exciting that it was. I’ve probably watched this play 50 times (at least) and Holthus makes it even more dramatic!

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Let’s not forget that the best plays so far this season have come from the defensive side of the ball. Perhaps that deserves it’s own post. Do you have any other plays that are memorable from the first half of the 2023 season?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne