Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco rushed nine times for 26 yards and caught one pass for negative one yards in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Despite being the younger back, Pacheco was out-touched and outproduced by the 29-year-old Kareem Hunt. Pacheco averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in this contest, compared to 5.0 yards per carry for Hunt. Hunt was also the only back to score in this game. Pacheco will look to bounce back next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank 10th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. The 25-year-old has failed to pull away as the clear lead back since returning from injury, which does not bode well since the Chiefs were content leaning on Hunt in Pacheco's absence. If the Chiefs are rolling with a hot-hand approach, it won't be easy to trust either running back in the fantasy playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had five catches for 30 yards in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Kelce was held under 50 receiving yards for the third straight week. The 35-year-old still received ample volume, catching at least four passes each game. That said, fantasy managers have to be disappointed with his production lately. Fantasy managers advancing to the next round of the playoffs will have to hope for better production next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers rank 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season, making them one of the more difficult matchups. Despite still demanding volume in the Kansas City passing attack, Kelce has failed to do much with his opportunities. Kelce should be viewed as a lower-end TE1 for Week 17.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 28 of 41 pass attempts (68%) for 263 yards and a touchdown in the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Mahomes also rushed five times for 33 yards and a touchdown. Despite coming into this game with an ankle injury, the veteran quarterback broke off the longest rushing touchdown of his career. The 29-year-old had one of his best games of the season, eclipsing 20 fantasy points for the third time this year. Mahomes will look to continue his productive run next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank third in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season. With Marquise Brown returning from injury in this game, Mahomes has another dangerous pass catcher to throw to. Fantasy managers will have to decide whether or not to start Mahomes in a difficult matchup next week.

According to Matt McMullen of the Chiefs, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle) has returned to the field at the start of the second half. This is a great sign as former first-round selection had a brief injury scare earlier in this game as he sustained an ankle injury while running a route. This injury was non-contact. Before exiting for a brief period, Worthy brought in four of his five targets for 26 yards. Fantasy managers should expect Worthy to continue to operate as a starting wideout for the remainder of the game alongside Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins.

According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle) is questionable to return. The rookie wideout sustained this injury when running a route in a non-contact capacity. Before exiting, Worthy caught four of his five targets for 26 yards. At the time, those five targets led the team. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown, and Travis Kelce to see most of the passing work. Marquise Brown was the leading receiver after the first half tallying 38 yards on three receptions in his 2024 season debut.