We all know Patrick Mahomes leads the Kansas City Chiefs’ high-powered offense, but the running back position remains key to balancing things out.
With Kareem Hunt back in the mix and Isiah Pacheco emerging as a key contributor, NFL fans wonder who the true No. 1 guy is in Kansas City’s backfield.
Let’s break it down.
Is Kareem Hunt Taking Over as the Lead Back?
Hunt’s return to Kansas City this season — after five seasons with the Cleveland Browns — has been nothing short of intriguing.
After outpacing Pacheco in carries in last week’s divisional-round win over the Texans, Hunt is making a case for the lead role. Known for his vision, power, and ability to catch passes out of the backfield, Hunt brings a dynamic element that the Chiefs’ offense thrives on.
Hunt’s experience and familiarity with the Chiefs’ system from the early portion of his career in Kansas City give him a slight edge in certain situations, especially during crunch time. His recent usage indicates the coaching staff is leaning more on him.
Isiah Pacheco Remains a Key Cog in Chiefs’ Offense
After putting up 135 rushing yards in his first two games this season, Pacheco was sidelined for over two months due to a fractured fibula. When he returned in Week 13, Andy Reid deployed him in more of a split backfield with Hunt.
Don’t count Pacheco out just yet. The third-year back out of Rutgers has proven himself a hard-nosed runner with a knack for breaking tackles and creating explosive plays. Pacheco’s energy and physicality are unmatched, making him a fan favorite and a valuable weapon in the Chiefs’ backfield.
Though Hunt got more carries last week (8:5), Pacheco is still heavily involved in the offense, especially in early-down situations and goal-line packages. His versatility and ability to keep defenses on their toes ensure he’ll remain a big part of the Chiefs’ game plan moving forward.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Running Back Depth Chart
The Chiefs have historically used a running-back-by-committee approach. With Hunt and Pacheco offering unique skill sets, Andy Reid will likely continue rotating them based on matchups and game situations.
Throw in Samaje Perine as the go-to third-down back, and it’s clear this backfield is as versatile as it is crowded. Rookie Carson Steele (literally) fumbled any opportunities he was given when Pacheco was out.
While Hunt’s recent workload suggests he might be edging out Pacheco, the Chiefs’ backfield remains fluid. Both backs will play pivotal roles, and their usage may vary from week to week. Fantasy football managers found this frustrating, but it’s a recipe for success for the Chiefs.
Chiefs vs. Bills Game Preview
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kanas City
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Streaming: CBS/Paramount+
In the Super Bowl era, the Bills and Chiefs are the fifth pair of teams to face each other in the playoffs four times within a five-season span. The Chiefs could become the first team to play in the Super Bowl while seeking a Super Bowl three-peat.
The Bills lead the league in turnover margin this season, including the playoffs, at +27. Buffalo has maintained an even or positive turnover margin in 21 consecutive games dating back to last season, tying the 1952-53 Rams for the longest streak since turnovers became an official stat in 1933.
On the other side, the Chiefs have gone eight straight games without a turnover, the longest streak since turnovers became an official stat in 1933.
Josh Allen is one of the league’s best quarterbacks against the blitz. Including the playoffs, he averages the second-highest EPA(Expected Points Added) per dropback (0.30) when blitzed, with 16 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions.
However, the Chiefs excel at blitzing effectively. Including the playoffs, Kansas City blitzes at the ninth-highest rate in the league (30%) and ranks 10th in pressure rate (44%) when sending extra rushers.
The Bills have been one of the league’s best defenses on early downs this season, ranking fifth in EPA per play (0.08) on first and second down. However, their performance drops significantly on third down, where they rank 31st in EPA per play (-0.26) and have allowed the fifth-highest third-down conversion rate (44%).
That’s an ominous sign against a Chiefs offense that thrives on third downs. Kansas City ranks fourth in third down conversion rate (47.9%) and fourth in EPA per play (0.22) on third down. Conversely, they only rank 15th in EPA per play on first and second down (-0.02).
In two playoff games against the Chiefs, Allen has posted QB+ scores of 86.6 (B) in 2021 and 74.8 (C) in 2023. Meanwhile, Mahomes has earned QB+ scores of 86.9 (B) in 2021 and 79.0 (C+) in 2023 in two postseason games against the Bills.
Many fans (and Houston Texans players) were frustrated with the officiating in Kansas City’s Divisional Round win. Since 2018, the Chiefs have received nine roughing-the-passer calls in the playoffs (including the Will Anderson Jr. call on Saturday), while the rest of the NFL combined has totaled 18 such calls, with no other team receiving more than two.
Kansas City has now made seven consecutive Conference Championship appearances — only the New England Patriots had more in a row (eight from 2011-18) in NFL history.
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Bills a 50.7% chance of winning this game while the Chiefs have 49.3% odds, showing just how close this game should be.
