Breaking Down the Chiefs' 27-20 Win Over the Vikings: Key Stats + Turning Point

The Chiefs handled business on their way to a 4-1 st

13.6 - Yards per Target for Justin Watson for the season

During the offseason, Justin Watson was a player that a fair number of Chiefs’ fans wanted to move out of the way for the promising young receivers behind him. The veteran receiver was seen as superfluous – especially with Marquez Valdes-Scantling in tow – and was viewed as a “special teamer” as his path to the 53-man roster. Through 5 games where the Chiefs needed a consistent presence at wide receiver, Watson has been that and more for this offense.

Watson has 219 yards on 10 catches this season, but it’s been his target efficiency that has been most impressive. On just 16 targets this season, Watson has averaged 13.6 yards. That is by far the highest average of any receiver with over 12 targets in 2023. Watson has already put up the second-most yards of any season in his career through just 5 games, and is just 100 yards behind his best season (2022 with the Chiefs). While his current efficiency is terrific, it’s Watson’s ability to show up in big moments that have been the true needle-mover. You need to look no further than his climb-the-ladder catch on third and 16 to help extend a Chiefs touchdown-scoring drive out of the half against the Minnesota Vikings.