Add a blocked punt to Chiefs’ treasure trove of special teams advantages
Chiefs running back Damien Williams will take big-play opportunities where he can find them.
In Sunday’s 37-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns, it was on special teams.
Williams blocked a punt in the third quarter that led to a short touchdown drive. It was the Chiefs’ first blocked punt since their final game of the 2016 season.
“He did a phenomenal job blocking that thing,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
Williams lined up on the left side and simply overpowered his blocker. At the last moment, Williams hoisted his left hand up and deflected the ball off the foot of Britton Colquitt, brother of the Chiefs’ punter, Dustin Colquitt.
“It’s like a defensive lineman who sticks his hand up at the last moment to bat down a pass,” Williams said. “It was just reaction.”
The Chiefs led 28-15 when Williams blocked the punt and took over at the 21. Two snaps later, Kareem Hunt went 10 yards for his third touchdown of the game and the lead was 19 points.
It’s been difficult to find offensive snaps for Williams, the team’s third running back. Hunt is the starter. Spencer Ware gets the call mostly on third-down situations.
Williams made the team’s 53-man roster over veteran Charcandrick West, but he has taken just 33 offensive snaps this year, none in the previous weekend’s victory over Denver.
He’s had three rushing attempts and three receptions for the season after collecting 1,210 combined rushing and receiving yards plus nine touchdowns in four years with the Miami Dolphins.
But Williams entered the weekend having taken 83 snaps on special teams and has contributed three tackles.
“Type of person I am, I’ll take any chance to give my team a spark, wherever I am,” Williams said. “Any chance I get to get near the ball, I’m going to make something happen.”
That’s the approach of the Chiefs’ special teams, collectively among the NFL’s best. The Chiefs hold advantages over opponents in punt returns, kickoff returns and punting average.
They almost had a scoop and score on Sunday. The ball bounded toward the sideline and only Williams was near it. But his momentum took him out of bounds.
“I tried to get it but my feet caught me,” Williams said. “Maybe next time.”
Blair Kerkhoff
Blair Kerkhoff covers the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and college sports for The Star.
This story was originally published November 4, 2018 at 6:11 PM.