Chiefs Rookie Xavier Worthy Gets Revenge Vs. The Bills

Through the week main as much as the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ seventh straight AFC Championship Recreation, a participant, who was not on the earlier six squads, stated he had a chip on his shoulder.

“This sport means a bit bit extra to me,” Chiefs large receiver Xavier Worthy stated.

The rookie may’ve been a part of the Buffalo Payments, the crew the Chiefs defeated within the thrilling 32-29 sport that despatched them to their third straight Tremendous Bowl.

However in a curious transfer, the Payments traded their 2024 first-round decide (twenty eighth general), fourth-round decide (133rd general) and seventh-round decide (248th general) to the Chiefs for his or her first-round decide (thirty second general), third-round decide (ninety fifth general) and seventh-round decide (221st general) through the first day of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I really feel it’s signal they didn’t need me,” Worthy stated.

Possibly the Payments ought to’ve needed Worthy.

Whereas the quickest participant ever on the 2024 NFL Mix led all gamers within the AFC Championship sport with six catches for 85 yards, the receiver the Payments drafted within the second spherical, Keon Coleman, had only one catch for 12.

Worthy additionally was the Chiefs’ third-leading rusher with 16 yards on two carries.

“I’m completely happy for Xavier,” Chiefs basic supervisor Brett Veach stated. “He’s a fantastic participant.”

Worthy solely had one catch within the second half, nevertheless it was a vital one.

His 23-yard reception, which tight finish Travis Kelce helped clear house for, gave the Chiefs a primary and objective and put Harrison Butker in place for the game-winning 35-yard area objective.

His first half was much more spectacular. With 6:12 left within the second quarter, his 11-yard landing catch vs. Damar Hamlin gave the Chiefs a 14-10 lead.

He had two different catches on that scoring drive, together with a five-yard seize on the play previous to his rating.

On the Chiefs’ subsequent offensive possession — by which the Chiefs have been put in good area place by a 41-yard Nikko Remigo punt return — he had his most thrilling spotlight: he wrestled with defensive again Cole Bishop for a 26-yard catch. Patrick Mahomes ran the landing in three performs later.

Worthy isn’t solely a distinction maker, however he additionally supplies nice worth.

He’s on a four-year, $13.8 million rookie deal.

However Worthy didn’t all the time seem like he’d be so invaluable. After scoring two touchdowns in Week One, he went by way of a stoop earlier than breaking out towards the Payments on Nov. 17.

He had 4 catches for 61 yards and a landing and one rush for seven yards throughout that 30-21 Payments victory, which represents the Chiefs’ lone loss this season when their starters performed.

That breakout efficiency got here after Worthy had not had greater than 50 yards since a Sept. 29 sport vs the Los Angeles Chargers.

However Worthy has continued to develop and mature, displaying Veach’s foresight in buying and selling as much as choose him.

“We stick with our board. We now have a plan and we consider in it,” Veach stated. “Xavier was a man we actually cherished and have been enthusiastic about, and we have been lucky to go up there and get him.”

Now Veach, Worthy and the remainder of the Chiefs are poised to make historical past.

No different back-to-back champion within the Tremendous Bowl period has made it again to the sport for a 3rd straight 12 months.

“It’s an incredible achievement,” Chiefs proprietor Clark Hunt stated.

And in the event that they win Tremendous Bowl LIX, they’ll obtain the primary three-peat in fashionable NFL historical past.