Meet the Chiefs’ latest touchdown-reception machine: running back Jerick McKinnon

Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon came into this season with just seven touchdown receptions in his first five NFL campaigns, and no more than two in any one year.

Well, McKinnon recorded his sixth touchdown reception of the season on Saturday in the Chiefs’ 24-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

What’s more, that 9-yard scoring catch from Patrick Mahomes in the second quarter — which extended the Chiefs’ lead to 14-0 — was McKinnon’s fifth in the last four games, with a touchdown in each one.

Talk about being in a zone — McKinnon most definitely is.

The end zone.

“It’s play-calling, it’s Pat finding me and it’s the offensive line blocking super well up front,” McKinnon said. “It’s a collection of everything.”

For the day, McKinnon logged three receptions on three targets for 31 yards. One of those catches was on a slip screen, a route that has also produced touchdowns. But not Saturday.

McKinnon simply drifted out to the right flat and found himself wide open; Mahomes hit him around the 9. McKinnon spun out of one tackle at the 3 and powered through another defender at the goal line.

“The linebacker was inside. I already had my leverage,” McKinnon said.

The touchdown throw was Mahomes’ second of the game. He earlier flipped a pass to receiver Kadarius Toney for a 5-yard score.

Mahomes now has 37 TDs this season. He entered the game leading the NFL in that department and passing yards. After Saturday’s win, his yardage total stands at 4,720.

McKinnon has 18 receptions over the past three games and 49 for the season. Two more and he’ll match his season best, set in 2017, when he played for the Minnesota Vikings.

He also had the Chiefs’ game-winning 26-yard touchdown run to beat the Houston Texans in overtime last weekend and was on the scoring end of a 56-yard no-look flip pass from Mahomes against the Broncos before that.

McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco have headed up the Chiefs’ running backs corps since a Week 11 injury to Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Pacheco is the hard-running rookie, while McKinnon is the crafty veteran who also brings a level of toughness.

He showed the toughness on the finishing kick on his touchdown against the Seahawks.

McKinnon’s production and nose for the end zone is reminiscent of former Chiefs running back Damien Williams, who always played his best football in the postseason. In five playoff games over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Williams scored 10 touchdowns, including four through the air.

McKinnon could be headed on a similar path.

“Opportunity landing in my hands and I’m trying to make the most of it,” he said.