Chiefs Must Trust Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore More Entering Playoffs

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The Kansas City Chiefs are once again one of the top offenses in the NFL. Entering Week 17, Kansas City is ranked second in scoring offense, first in total yards, first in passing yards, first in passing touchdowns and first in points per drive. Of course, many people believed that this unit would see a significant drop off in 2022. Without the likes of Tyreek Hill, along with other changes to the wide receiver position, the skepticism was high from many when looking into the Chiefs offense.

It has been a year of adjustments and growth for much of the incumbent members of the offense. Arguably, no one has exemplified that more than quarterback Patrick Mahomes. His campaign has placed him near the top of the NFL MVP conversation. On the other hand, Mahomes looks more comfortable in the pocket, continues to take what the defense is giving him more often and has been extremely accurate this season. It is an important step from the Kansas City signal caller, following a bumpy ride that he endured during the 2021 season.

Despite all of the success and excitement from this season, Kansas City has an opportunity to become more lethal offensively. In fact, there are a couple of receivers that deserve to see more chances in the passing attack. That would be both Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. Due to their top traits, along with the disappointing results from other depth receivers, the Chiefs must begin to trust Toney and Moore more often entering this year’s playoffs. Let’s kick it off.

Chiefs Offense Could Be More Dynamic By Increasing Snaps Of Toney And Moore

While the opposing defenses in the playoffs will offer different schemes, many teams will be looking to throw exotic looks at the Chiefs offense. That has certainly stumped Kansas City in the past. The Chiefs are able to boast excellent instincts and incredible route running and separation with names like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. But to help counteract the exotic looks of opposing defenses, the Chiefs may be able to rely on the uber-athletic pair of Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore.

When you look at each of Toney and Moore, there is so much of a dynamic ability that each player offers. While he has had some struggles as a rookie, you cannot deny the spatial awareness of Moore. He simply knows how to make defenders miss and look silly. All told, Moore appears to show how wise he is beyond his years in the league, when the ball is in his hands. Elsewhere, Toney can create problems for defenses in a variety of ways. His mix of speed and sharp angles are likely the most dangerous for opponents to have to deal with. Simply put, Toney does not take long to reach his top speed.

Top Areas Where Kansas City Needs To Let These Two Loose

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There are many areas in which the Chiefs can improve by increasing the snaps of Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. Though, the most crucial parts include the red zone, on third down offense and in the quick passing game. The goal for Kansas City should be to get these two the ball in space as quickly as possible. If that continues to work, it will not only create more opportunities downfield for those two, but it will also open up more looks for other Chiefs pass catchers.

Specifically on third downs, Kansas City has the option to space out the field and force defenders to cover every blade of grass. In essence, the Chiefs can pick their poison and use every option to their disposal. Do you look for the immediate yards after catch ability from Kadarius Toney or Skyy Moore? Or, do you look to push opponents further down the field with other receivers, while baiting them into underneath looks? Without Hill, Mahomes has been able to work through his progressions more often this season. It is important to continue that approach entering the playoffs.

In the red zone, the Chiefs have been more inconsistent as of late, in terms of scoring touchdowns. Not getting these two more snaps and the absence of Mecole Hardman has certainly attributed to that. Due to the speed, change of direction skills and broken tackle ability of Toney and Moore, Kansas City can attack the middle of the field and perimeter horizontally. At the same time, other Chiefs pass catchers are used to being boxed in with vertical routes. Toney and Moore can offer new wrinkles down low, once the field becomes more condensed.

Need For Speed

While the Chiefs have been fine with using a more methodical approach this season, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore can give Kansas City a heightened pace offensively. How does an increase in pace possibly benefit the Chiefs in the playoffs? Overall, Kansas City may have more success in finishing drives with touchdowns, as opposed to field goals or punts, if they do indeed increase their speed of the offensive attack. It could keep opposing defenses on their heels more often, as a result.

In turn, this could also help out a mostly young Chiefs defense. Kansas City has been largely effective as a pass rush this season. Yet, the success or failure of the back seven appears to come in an all or nothing way, so to speak. If there are struggles or triumphs, the Chiefs are seemingly chalk across the board with their back seven performances. There is just no in between. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore could infuse a jolt into the Chiefs offense, while still gifting confidence to their defensive teammates, as well as commanding leads or momentum.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.