Dec 29, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Then-Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster (22) celebrates with quarterback Chase Daniel (10) after a touchdown against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
It is bad enough the Chiefs wide receivers lack a touchdown reception through nine regular-season games.
But the issue becomes worse when national media outlets don’t get it right surrounding that statistic.
CBS Sports ran a segment during Sunday’s live Chiefs-Bills game broadcast indicating Dwayne Bowe scored the last regular-season touchdown by a Chiefs wide receiver against the Washington Redskins in Week 14 of the 2013 season.
NFL Network’s “Fantasy Live” aired a segment called “Fantasy Trends” with the on-air talent enthusiastically stating:
“Let’s talk trends like the one in Kansas City where an almost unbelievable streak is going on. A Chiefs wide receiver has not caught a touchdown pass in 12 straight regular-season games. It’s been all running backs and tight ends. That is pretty consistent, albeit in a strange way.”
The NFL’s fantasy show also had a lower third graphic showing Bowe as the last Chiefs wide receiver to score a touchdown.
CBS Sports and the NFL Network are correct pointing out Bowe caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alex Smith in Week 14 of the 2013 season.
Both broadcasts, however, are incorrect by stating Bowe’s reception is the last regular-season touchdown catch by a Chiefs wide receiver.
Former Chiefs wide receiver Dexter McCluster caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chase Daniel in the first quarter during the 2013 season finale against the San Diego Chargers.
NFL.com even has a highlight of McCluster’s touchdown catch archived on its website.
That would make McCluster, whom the Chiefs moved from running back to wide receiver before the 2012 regular season, as the last Chiefs wide receiver to record a regular-season touchdown reception.
McCluster signed a free-agent contract with the Tennessee Titans in March 2014.
So, the statistic isn’t 12 straight regular-season games without a wide receiver touchdown reception dating back to the 2013 season like that fantasy show would have viewers believe.
The factually correct statistic is nine straight regular-season games and counting.
