The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing a historic three-peat in 2024 and a potent run game could be key in the franchise achieving history.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be on the hunt for a third consecutive Super Bowl title in 2024. While many are fixating on Patrick Mahomes’ new outside weapons in Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy, could a better run game be just as beneficial?
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Isiah Pacheco has emerged as the Chiefs’ lead back, taking over that role from Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the last two seasons. But could Kansas City benefit from having “CEH” involved more?
The Chiefs’ offense was ranked 17th in rush yards per game last season (109.3), and Pacheco didn’t have much help, with Mahomes being the team’s second-leading rusher.
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half for the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half for the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Pacheco totaled 935 yards and seven touchdowns from 205 carries, but Edwards-Helaire only had 70 attempts for 223 yards and a touchdown. Now, leaning more on the run game when you have a quarterback like Mahomes might seem odd, but it could add another layer to what is already an excellent offense.
While the Chiefs played just fine last season without a stellar run game, with Mahomes’ new weapons, Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire might see their attempts drop.
Pacheco had 20+ rushing games just three times, including the playoffs, and ironically, the Chiefs won those three games.
Of the Chiefs’ six regular-season losses last year, three games when Pacheco didn’t have more than 11 carries. Perhaps that is the blueprint going forward.
Now, taking the ball out of Mahomes’ hand might seem odd, but when the run game is established, what that could do for Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Brown, and Worthy could be huge.
The last thing that defenses want to have to contend with against the Chiefs is seeing Mahomes hand the ball off and Pacheco and Co. picking up crucial yards.
Kansas City is chasing history in 2024, and we saw last season that Mahomes leaned on the defense to help with the Super Bowl push… perhaps leaning on the run game could be the thing that gets the Chiefs back to the promised land for the third straight season.