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This Hall of Fame connection between quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce steals the show for the Kansas City Chiefs every week. They did so again in the Chiefs’ last-minute win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, when the pair scored the game-winning 17-yarder. 
However, the contributions of these elite performers have taken Kansas City from consistently good to almost unstoppable. Names changed, but the extra help makes the chiefs really dangerous.
Looking back, Chiefs benefit from Damien Williams totaling 133 yards and two scores, Sammy Vauter Kings completed five passes for 98 yards and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz had arguably the best game of his career to win Super Bowl LIV. Always play their respective positions.
In Sunday’s game, a pair of rookies showed how they could contribute more to the remainder of 2022 The year’s campaign even expanded Kansas City’s dynamic offense.
Running back Isiah Pacheco and wide receiver Skyy Moore both hit career highs against the Chargers and will need How sickness changed the Chiefs’ roster to do so. “They did a great job of working hard,” Heads coach Andy Reid said after the game. “It didn’t just happen naturally. They worked their way up to where the QB trusted them, and where the coaches trusted them.”
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Of the two, Pacheco gradually played a bigger role throughout the season. “For me, in that running back room, it was a brotherhood. We pushed each other,” Pacheco told reporters last week when asked about the Chiefs’ running back rotation.
“We’re giving each other examples of how we can hit the ball better and what we’re seeing here, they’re watching from the sidelines What the heck, so we’re building this room, and a lot of football. We need all the guys out there to compete and win.” With the Chargers, the rookie had three games with 60 or more rushing yards. On Sunday, he broke 100 points for the first time as the Chiefs allowed him 15 or more runs for the second straight game. That approach should continue since Clyde Edwards-Helaire exited with an ankle injury.
“He’s a tough kid, but it doesn’t look good,” Reid said. “A high ankle sprain isn’t the best. We’ll see how he does.” First impressive 2020 Disappointing result – a round of picks gave Pacheco more opportunities. ball. The 216-pound back slashes through defenses thanks to plenty of swing and extra positional gear.
Of all the running backs currently in the league, no one has run 40 yards faster than Pacheco, who has had 4.37 seconds at the NFL combine.
After sharing the backcourt at Rutgers the past four seasons, the transition period should be predictable. Pacheco was productive but never had more than 169 carries in a season or 1,000-yard campaign.
“Of course,” Pacheco said when asked if it would be easier to keep pace with the Chiefs’ starting lineup. “Try it every week, get a feel for it – different teams, different plans. For me Said, when I come into the building to work, it’s the same mindset every day. When I go to the training ground — 100 percent, so when we start the day, [we] can execute at a high-intensity level.”
How Harry/Getty Images The explosiveness in the Chiefs’ backcourt will help take some of the pressure off Mahomes, whether it’s Figuratively or literally. While Pacheco doesn’t need to turn into a Derrick Henry-style anchor all of a sudden, his explosiveness must be considered when lining up behind or next to Mahomes.
Also, Kansas City’s offensive tackle has been poor this season. A more reliable run game could give the top five more confidence and slow down the defensive line, rather than keeping opponents with their ears covered all the time.
In the passing game, Moore’s appearance is inevitable, and his skills finally shine.
The 54th overall pick this year was 106 yards all season before Sunday’s 5-catch, 63-yard performance Completed 7 catches. Moore’s biggest contribution at this point happened on special teams, though he struggled at that stage.
“His punt return was a bit of a mess,” Reid said. “Guys keep encouraging him through this. Players support him. Peer pressure is the biggest pressure in this situation.”
Opportunities also arise due to injuries. Neither JuJu Smith-Schuster nor Mecole Hardman played. Kadarius Toney also left the game with a hamstring injury. Smith-Schuster remains on concussion protocol after a brutal blow to Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco, while Hardman is currently on injured reserve with an abdominal injury.
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Moore showed great shooting ability in tight Separation is created with extraordinary speed within the space. Mahomes finished last on Kansas City’s game-winning drive before finding Kelce for a touchdown to the rookie. It’s important for Moore’s play and confidence.
The Kansas City offense opted to trade Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in the organization. In doing so, the team basically forced Mahomes to become more of a dealer.
Operating this way, with multiple quality options at the quarterback’s disposal, the offensive plan becomes unpredictable. Yes, Kelce will get the ball in tight situations, as he did on Sunday. But those guys can do more damage when Mahomes can throw the ball to all available weapons.
Round picks are just another option to keep the opposing defensive coordinator awake at night. Once that group is fully healthy, Mahomes will have an embarrassment of fortunes to choose from.
“It’s special,” said the NFL’s leading passerby. “We’ve been doing this for a while, but it’s special to see those new guys on the field.”
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.
