With seven wins in their past eight games, the Kansas City Chiefs are the second-hottest team in the AFC. Interestingly, their last three wins have come without No. 1 wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
The veteran has sat out the Chiefs’ past four outings due to a groin injury, during which time Kansas City has found a way to remain very much alive in the AFC West.
Now set to take on the AFC’s hottest, and potentially best team on Thursday night, the Chiefs are optimistic Maclin will be able to go.
Chiefs optimistic that WR Jeremy Maclin, who has missed past 4 games due to groin injury, will return for Thursday vs. Raiders, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2016
In order to fend off an Oakland Raiders team that’s won six consecutive and boasts a AFC-best 10-2 record on the season, Kansas City will need all hands on deck.
Maclin, who struggled to make a real impact for the Chiefs prior to going down with injury, will likely be worked back into the starting lineup. The likes of Travis Kelce and rookie receiver Tyreek Hill have definitely picked their games up in his stead.
In eight games this season, Maclin has caught 30 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a far cry from his 1,000-yard performance last year.
At 9-3 on the season, Kansas City desperately needs to hold serve at home on Thursday night. Should it lose, the Raiders will be up by two games with three remaining. Though, should the Chiefs come out on top, they would then be tied with Oakland while holding the tiebreaker due to a season sweep.