9 Things I Learned From Week 1 of the NFL Season

The Chiefs Need Jamaal Charles Even More Than We Thought

Perhaps the most baffling offensive performance on Sunday came from the Kansas City Chiefs. More specifically, it surrounded the usage of Jamaal Charles.

Donnie Avery was the team’s number-one receiver entering the game. Donnie Avery. So what did the Chiefs do? They gave Jamaal Charles seven carries and four targets.

The team lost the lead early, so it’s at least a little – not really though – understandable to see Charles see few attempts. But four targets for a player who had the fourth-best receiving season at running back according to our metrics since 2000? Come on, Mr. Reid. You’re better than this.

Charles saw fewer than 13 carries just once last year. In that game, he had four receiving touchdowns. Kansas City’s lack of Jamaal Charles use was inexplicable, and if they don’t change it in Week 2, we could be looking at a team that’s set to decline tremendously on the offensive side of the ball in 2014.