My gut says DRob is going to have himself a day. 6-7 catches, close to 100 yds, pair of TDs.
Note: Hardman or Pringle will probably have a similar game.
It all really depends on how disciplined CLE's defense can actually play. If they can't, Hill and Kelce will explode, and DRob, Pringle, and Hardman won't see the ball as much. But if they find a way to contain Kelce/Hill, then two of those guys are going to have big days.
Ultimately I think Kelce is going to go off, and DRob will as well. [Reply]
Originally Posted by In58men:
So we REALLY need Watkins to beat the Browns?
This fanbase is loaded with paranoia.
Not at all. It just would be that much more unfair. Without Sammy, Hill and Kelce are going to get more consistent attention, and CLE will be able to spend more resources on Hardman and against our run game.
But the offense doesn't really get bogged down until we lose both Hill and Watkins. Hill, Kelce, and some combo of DRob, Hardman, or Pringle will be more than enough this weekend. [Reply]
To say the Chiefs dont need Watkins to win is just ignorant.
Dont matter if its the Browns or anybody else, its the playoffs.
Because of his skill level, defences have to respect him.
And his blocking ability is key to the offence.
His absence just means Pringle, DRob and Hardman must step up. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DT#58:
To say the Chiefs dont need Watkins to win is just ignorant.
Dont matter if its the Browns or anybody else, its the playoffs.
Because of his skill level, defences have to respect him.
And his blocking ability is key to the offence.
His absence just means Pringle, DRob and Hardman must step up.
Mostly agree.
History tells us that having Watkins out doesn't hurt the win percentage by much. It does slow the offense down a bit, but not by much. It would probably matter more against a top-5 secondary.
Note that last season vs. HOU in the playoffs, Sammy didn't do a whole lot. Because Hill and Kelce got open constantly against that bad secondary.
But vs. TEN and SFO, Watkins had big days. Probably because Hill and Kelce found it harder to get open quickly. Also, Watkins, outside of Kelce is our best route-runner and decipherer of the defense.
So for this game, vs. this secondary, Watkins won't be missed as much. Against a top-5 secondary, we'd probably miss him more. [Reply]