As the Los Angeles Chargers came away with the victory, 16-13, in an absolutely pivotal Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, their defense was yet again the hero, limiting their opponents' offense throughout the course of the game and coming away with the game-winning interception in the final moments of the fourth quarter.
Yet, the performance of one player who made a reapparance in the Chargers' gameplan, rookie wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, perhaps also revealed a new weapon to which they will have access over the remainder of the season.
With usual kick returner Derius Davis absent this week with an ankle injury, Lambert-Smith filled in excellently in his place, and, with new roles in the offense opening up as the team's passing game finds its footing, the rookie could also see more snaps on the offense proper as the season winds down.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith looks like a solution to the Chargers' special teams woes
As many issues as the Chargers have experienced this year as a result of injury and inconsistent play, the unreliability of their special teams has not helped in the least. All season, they've struggled with penalties, and the declining performance of Davis as a kick returner has been a major concern for fans.
Coming into play in Week 15, Los Angeles had the twelfth-fewest yards per kick return in the NFL, averaging a lowly 25.3 with a long return of only 40 yards.
While Lambert-Smith did not surpass this average against the Chiefs, he flashed a speed and an explosive ability on his four returns that far outmatched what has been seen from Davis this season. Moreover, his crucial receiving touchdown late in the second quarter to bring the Chargers within reach showcased his viability as a peripheral receiving threat within the context of the regular offensive scheme.
For those who followed the team in the preseason, Lambert-Smith's skill and explosive ability comes as no surprise. Through his four preseason appearances, he amassed 109 yards on just four receptions, and, coming into the season, there were hopes that he could be, at the very least, a rotational receiving weapon for the team.
To this point in the season, however, he has seen just 15% of the team's offensive snaps and 16% of their special teams snaps.
Considering Davis's injury and the rapidly shrinking role of Quentin Johnston, however, this could all change for Lambert-Smith over the next three weeks.