3. Tailback Brashard Smith rushed for a career-most 56 yards.
Smith received an extended look as the Chiefs’ featured running back on Sunday, handling a team-most 12 carries (and 14 touches overall). He made the most of those chances, too, by averaging 4.7 yards-per-carry over the course of the game.
That performance included five runs that picked up at least five yards, including a 14-yard rush early in the game, plus four forced missed tackles.
“I thought he did a nice job for us,” said Head Coach Andy Reid. “It was good to get him in the backfield running from different spots – offsetting and from under center…He’ll get stronger this offseason – that’s the biggest thing.”
As the Chiefs look ahead to next year, Smith’s continued growth will be a major storyline to follow over the course of the offseason.
4. Rookie defensive end Ethan Downs forced a fumble in kick coverage.
Downs, who made his NFL debut on Sunday, ensured that his first-career game was a memorable one when he forced a fumble in kick coverage late in the fourth quarter.
It was a great play by the rookie defensive end, who spent the entirety of the season on the Chiefs’ practice squad before earning a promotion to the active roster for Sunday’s game.
Several other young players had a chance to see the field on Sunday, too, including offensive guard Hunter Nourzad (64 offensive snaps), wide receiver Jalen Royals (43 offensive snaps), defensive end Ashton Gillotte (46 defensive snaps), linebacker Cooper McDonald (26 defensive snaps), linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (22 defensive snaps) and cornerback Kevin Knowles (14 defensive snaps).