Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) said he should be in a better place injury-wise with his ankle for the Christmas Day game in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers than he was in Saturday's win over the Houston Texans. The 29-year-old two-time MVP suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns but didn't miss any practice time last week and played in the 27-19 win over Houston on Saturday. Mahomes wasn't 100%, but he was feeling good enough to run the ball five times for 33 yards and a touchdown. His ankle could be something he has to manage for the remainder of the season, including the playoffs, but his performance on Saturday should make fantasy managers comfortable at least using him as a QB2 in superflex leagues. The Chiefs are still trying to lock up a bye in the first round of the playoffs, so Mahomes won't be rested on Wednesday.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught four passes for 37 yards in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. With the return of Marquise Brown, Hopkins appeared to take a backseat to other Kansas City pass catchers. The veteran receiver finished fourth on the team in targets and receiving yards in this contest. Hopkins provides a sure-handed receiving option, but his fellow wide receivers offer more explosiveness. Hopkins will look to be more involved next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. With Hopkins falling in the target pecking order, it will be difficult for fantasy managers to trust him in their lineups for Week 17.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown caught five passes for 45 yards on eight targets in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Brown made his 2024 debut with the Chiefs in Week 16 and did not disappoint. The 27-year-old hauled in his first catch as a Chief on a fourth-down conversion to continue the drive. Brown and Patrick Mahomes also connected on a 20-yard pass for his longest reception of the game. Brown will build on that chemistry next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. The speedster seemed to be the WR2 for the Chiefs passing attack, as DeAndre Hopkins finished the game with just four targets. Brown finished second on the team in targets in his first game back from injury. Trusting Brown in the fantasy playoffs may be difficult since he just returned, but it may not be the worst decision fantasy managers could make.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Worthy led all Chiefs pass catchers in receptions, receiving yards, and targets for the second straight week. Patrick Mahomes is starting to lean on the rookie, making him the most trustworthy starter on the team. Despite the return of Marquise Brown, Worthy still was the offense's focal point. The speedster will try to continue that trend next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting Worthy now that he has established himself as the top receiving option on the team.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled 11 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Hunt also caught two passes for 24 yards in the contest. Although he shared the backfield with the younger Isiah Pacheco, Hunt was more productive on the ground and through the air. Hunt averaged 5.0 yards per carry in this game. The 29-year-old will look to continue being the primary back next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank 10th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Kansas City is employing a nearly even split between the two backs, and Hunt has been the more valuable of the two. Fantasy managers will still struggle to start Hunt in a committee against a tough matchup.