The best pass defense in the NFL flourishes with man-to-man press coverage — the kind of combination that tends to make the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator blush.Except this isn’t about his defense. That pass coverage, that stingy manto- man look, belongs to the Houston Texans, the team occupying the other sideline Saturday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.So naturally, when the Chiefs lined up at the Houston 8-yard-line late in a onepoint game they’d eventually win 27-19, quarterback Patrick Mahomes relayed a play specifically designed to beat manto- man coverage. Makes sense, right? Sometimes the game is as logical as it seems.Like this too: When he left the huddle, Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy figured he might have a shot to score. His whip route, he knew, could win one-onone against man. He’d been doing it all day.But when he reached the line of scrimmage, Worthy realized Houston had instead thrown a change-up. They were in zone. How’d he recognize it?“When they yelled out, ‘Zone it; zone it,’” Worthy said.Ah, OK then. All the sophistication of an organization that protects its computer entry points with the password “1234.”So maybe it’s a bit much to give Worthy credit for recognizing the coverage. But how about what came next? Worthy adjusted his route on the fly, never a false step, and without any communication from the quarterback. He deepened his cut and found a soft opening in the zone, placing him near the pylon.Mahomes stared at him most of the way. Trusted he’d see it.Touchdown. “When they start making the little subtle adjustments on the routes and not just running lines,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, “that’s when you know they’re headed in the right direction.”“He’s getting really, really good at it,” Mahomes said.The Chiefs won yet again Saturday. Probably played their most complete game of the season against a team that will be in the postseason. The record is 14-1 for just the second time in franchise history.They will finish the regular season undefeated at Arrowhead. They’re now one step closer to ensuring the only time they would have to leave home again this season would be for a flight to the Super Bowl.But nothing from the last two paragraphs represents the best development the Chiefs had on Saturday afternoon.Which is? They were flush — Patrick Mahomes was flush — with options at wide receiver.When is the last time that sentence rang ...
