The significant return of Hollywood Brown has greatly enhanced the performance of the Chiefs.

As tight end Travis Kelce observed wide receiver Hollywood Brown catching passes during practice following his return from injury, he recognized the element that could elevate the Kansas City Chiefs' passing game to a formidable level. "That's it, that's the guy," Kelce remarked about Brown, who had missed the first 14 games of the season due to a sternoclavicular joint injury but had recently returned to play in the last two contests. "We missed that guy. It's just been enjoyable having him back. His energy is infectious. He is someone who motivates you throughout the week, and his presence is palpable when you are on the field with him." Whether by chance or not, the Chiefs have experienced two of their most impressive offensive performances of the season with the sixth-year receiver active. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 320 yards, marking his second-highest total of the season, during the Chiefs' 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. Additionally, the Chiefs amassed 375 yards of total offense, their fifth-best performance, in a 27-19 win against the Houston Texans in Week 16. Regardless of whether Mahomes and the other starters participate in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS, Sunday), this recent stretch has led the quarterback to believe that the Chiefs have addressed some of the issues that were hindering their passing game. "That's what you want to do," Mahomes stated.

"We feel like we can continue to improve, and we are certainly playing our best football offensively as the season concludes. With players getting healthy, we are enthusiastic about what lies ahead. We will keep pushing forward. This is not the conclusion; it is merely the beginning, and we will strive to enhance our performance as we approach the playoffs."

Statistically, Brown's impact has not been substantial, as he has recorded nine receptions for 91 yards over the two games. The presence of Hollywood Brown, coupled with the increasing involvement of rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, seems to be compelling defenses to make challenging choices. Mahomes highlighted a 49-yard completion to wide receiver Justin Watson against the Steelers as a prime example. Pittsburgh adjusted its coverage to focus on Worthy and Brown, which left Watson in a one-on-one situation. The play was originally designed for those two players," Mahomes explained. "I went through my progressions, stepped up, and was observing Xavier and Hollywood, and you could sense the safety shifting. I glanced over at Watson, who had outmaneuvered his defender, and I delivered the pass, allowing him to make a play."

In the first two games, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown has recorded nine receptions for 91 yards. The Chiefs entered training camp with the aspiration of revitalizing their passing game, which is why they acquired Brown as a free agent, selected Worthy in the first round, and paired them with Rashee Rice, who had a notable rookie season last year. However, these plans faced setbacks when Brown sustained an injury on the initial play of the preseason. Subsequently, Rice injured his knee in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers and has been sidelined since. Although Rice will not return this season, the Chiefs remained optimistic about Brown's recovery, even after he underwent surgery.

"It was very important for me to get back out there because these guys have endured a lot," Brown stated. "I wanted to ensure I was in football shape and acclimated to the game before the playoffs."

The Chiefs promptly integrated Brown into their offensive scheme. In the last two games, Mahomes has targeted Brown with more passes (15) than any other wide receiver, aside from Worthy (20). Brown's nine receptions also rank second among wide receivers during this two-game period, trailing only Worthy's 15.

Coach Andy Reid expressed his satisfaction with Hollywood's performance, stating, "Hollywood's doing a great job. We are working to reintegrate him, and it feels like we are restraining a horse. He is eager to return to the field every time we substitute him, which is a positive sign. Having both of those players on the field is certainly advantageous. I believe they are all performing well and playing quality football at the moment. They complement each other in various ways, so I hesitate to single out just two of them, but they are all doing commendable work."

Patrick Mahomes achieved his highest QBR of the season against the Steelers, recording a score of 90.2. He also had his third-best performance of the season against the Texans, with an 85.3 QBR. Notably, he has been releasing the ball more quickly in the last two games, averaging 2.34 seconds to throw against Pittsburgh and 2.50 seconds against Houston, as per NFL Next Gen Stats. These times represent his fastest of the season.

The enhancement of the passing game is attributed to more than just the return of Brown and the improved performance of Worthy, although their contributions are significant. This improvement comes at an opportune moment, especially after securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Mahomes remarked, "We have reached an ideal point. We have been improving steadily even before Hollywood's arrival. Xavier has begun to play with greater confidence, and my chemistry with him has strengthened. Other players have also stepped up and made plays, and with Hollywood joining the mix, it has perfectly aligned everyone in their respective roles."