Kansas City

Chiefs

Johnson was not targeted in the passing game. His six carries were nothing to sneeze at on an afternoon where the Chiefs were limited to 49 total plays, but that was compared to 20 Kenneth Walker touches. Johnson will have some pop-up standalone value behind workhorse Walker, but he is primarily a contingency option heading into the meat of the fantasy campaign.

Worthy was also shaken up by a big hit but was never announced with an injury. Patrick Mahomes attempted only 24 passes this afternoon, but that’s still a disappointing target total for the third-year pro. 23-year-old Worthy is now sitting on just 10 catches for 63 yards through the Chiefs’ first three games. Even with this offense showing major year-over-year improvement, it’s getting harder to keep the WR4 faith with Worthy. The Raiders are a plus Week 4 matchup in Vegas.

Both Kelce’s catches and targets were his fewest of the young season, though he made them count on an afternoon where Patrick Mahomes dropped back only 25 times. Kelce notched a 48-yard catch-and-run on the first offensive play of the game, then finished off the Chiefs’ last real drive with an 11-yard touchdown grab in the back of the end zone. Why he went so long between looks can be a question for another day. Sitting on 231 yards receiving through the Chiefs’ first three contests, Kelce will remain a strong TE1 for Week 4 in Vegas.

Rice’s seven receptions were easily a new season best, though he’s now cleared 80 yards in back-to-back contests. Rice’s nine targets were no joke on a day where Patrick Mahomes was limited to 24 attempts as the Chiefs ran just 49 plays. Rice was also the intended target on Mahomes’ “interception,” which in reality was a ball Rice batted into the air. Not good, but neither was the pass. It was behind the wideout, who was laying on the ground. We doubt Mahomes holds it against him. Rice will remain a solid WR2 for Week 4 in Vegas.

The two-touchdown outing was Walker’s second in three games as a Chief after he had only one such effort for the Seahawks last season. His 20 touches were a rather remarkable total seeing as the Chiefs were limited to 49 plays with the Dolphins attempting to play keep away. He was not efficient, but Patrick Mahomes was. That’s the new reality for defenses facing the Chiefs, as this is no longer a stop Mahomes at all costs team. You now have to pick your poison, which is going to lead to many more blow-up efforts for KWIII. Perhaps that will include Week 4 in Vegas against the Raiders.

With the Dolphins playing ball-control offense, the Chiefs were limited to just 49 total plays, but Mahomes and company compensated with extreme efficiency. That included long catch-and-run gains to Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, with Mahomes also finding the former for an end zone score. Mahomes has now posted multiple passing scores in each of his first three starts. It took him seven games to accomplish that feat last year. There was a scary moment when Mahomes got “body weighted” by DL Chop Robinson, but Mahomes shook it off as Robinson was flagged for roughing. Currently averaging 8.3 yards per attempt after that number was 7.1 a year ago, Mahomes is looking at home in this “new look” Chiefs attack once again coordinated by Eric Bieniemy. He has another soft Week 4 matchup in the Raiders before the Chiefs head on early-season bye.

Conner and Simmons, who both have now missed multiple weeks, were ruled out on Friday. The other five players are healthy scratches.

The Chiefs kept Jones limited in all three practices this week, so this injury isn’t totally behind him yet. Regardless, he should have a productive day against the Dolphins’ offense this week.

Kahlil Benson draws another start. Simmons has not been spotted at practice since the regular season started.

Jones should be good to go for Week 3 against the Dolphins, but the calf injury is certainly limiting him. The Chiefs’ D/ST should have a good game, given the Dolphins’ offensive struggles.