"Chiefs vs. Lions: Winners and Losers Highlight the Dual Nature of the WR Room"

In the Kansas City Chiefs' second preseason game of 2024, several players stood out for both positive and negative reasons.

Jordan Foote | 34 Minutes Ago

Aug 17, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) makes a run as Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) pursues during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

With their second preseason game completed, the Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for their final game before the regular season begins. After a narrow defeat to the Detroit Lions, the Chiefs will have one more chance to fine-tune their roster. Despite holding a late lead, Kansas City couldn't hold on, as Detroit's walk-off field goal ended the game and sent the Chiefs back to the drawing board.

Several players made an impression during the game, both for good and ill reasons. While some key players performed as expected, others struggled, raising concerns as the season opener approaches in less than three weeks.

Here’s a look at the Chiefs’ biggest winners and losers from their second preseason game:

Winner: Xavier Worthy

Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy, who had a quiet game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, made a significant impact on Saturday. He was the most targeted Chiefs player, connecting on a big play with Patrick Mahomes and catching a touchdown pass from backup Carson Wentz. Worthy's speed and performance with the first team suggest he’ll have a prominent role in the offense. Mahomes praised Worthy’s progress, highlighting his potential impact in the upcoming season.

Loser: Kadarius Toney

Kadarius Toney’s chances of making the 53-man roster are looking bleak. Although he was healthy enough to play, Toney was buried on the depth chart, receiving only two targets and making just one reception for a loss of four yards. His minimal impact and recent team comments raise concerns about his future contributions.

Winner: Rashee Rice

Rashee Rice had a strong showing in the loss to the Lions, receiving five targets and making four catches for 35 yards. He was involved heavily in the offense, with four of his targets coming consecutively. Mahomes is optimistic about Rice’s potential and believes he’s improving his one-on-one and route-running skills.

Loser: Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s performance was underwhelming, especially for a first-round pick. Playing deep into the game, he made little impact and only had a notable play when unblocked. After a lackluster rookie season, it remains to be seen if he can make significant strides in his second year.

Winner: Carson Steele

Despite modest stats—three carries for eight yards and negative receiving yards—Carson Steele impressed with his pass protection and special teams play. His performance with the first-team offense and his consistent effort suggest he could make the initial 53-man roster. Steele has passed every test so far, including this game.

Loser: Chamarri Conner

Sophomore safety Chamarri Conner had a challenging game, struggling with consistency despite recording five tackles. His performance didn’t live up to expectations, but among the players listed, he seems to be the least concerning.

Winner: Matt Araiza

In his second unofficial game as a Chief, Matt Araiza made a strong impression, averaging over 49 yards per punt and delivering a pair of 61-yard kicks. His performance was excellent, whether it was for distance or pinning the opposition deep, and he even added a tackle to his resume.

Loser: Justyn Ross

Justyn Ross had a notably poor blocking performance, and his struggles extended to the passing game with no successful conversions on his targets. While he may still have a better outlook than some, his performance was a major disappointment.