Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes on running back Isiah Pacheco: ‘You could see it in his eyes’
Vigor accompanies everything Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco does on a football field, and that includes rising from a rushing attempt.
He even offered some panache to one of his post-tackle moments during the Chiefs’ 23-20 triumph over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football.
After a first-down run, Pacheco rolled face-down onto the MetLife Stadium turf and engaged in a series of push-ups. Boos poured down from the green-clad fans, who interpreted the exercise as a sign of disrespect.
That wasn’t the case, said Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
.jpg "USATSI_21550430 (1).jpg")
“I heard the crowd,” Smith said. “But it was extra juice. He’s going to do stuff like that. That’s why we love him. He’s bringing energy.
“If he has that much energy we’re going to spring him. He loves contact. He loves the game. It makes you want to play harder.”
Nobody played harder than Pacheco, who finished with 115 rushing yards and added 43 yards in receptions. The rushing and combined outputs were best of his 21-game NFL career.
“He was player of the game,” said wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. “I’m sure he’ll be getting a game ball.”
Pacheco’s effort couldn’t have occurred at more opportune time, for a couple of reasons.
After jumping to a 17-0 lead in three possessions, including a Pacheco 48-yard touchdown run, the Chiefs gave it all back. The Jets tied the game at 20-20 before the Chiefs tacked on a fourth-quarter field goal from Harrison Butker for the winning margin.
Furthermore, Pacheco crafted a memorable game in his home state. He grew up in Vineland, New Jersey, some 120 miles away from MetLife Stadium. Pacheco attended Rutgers, which is 10 miles and one exit down the New Jersey Turnpike from the home of the Jets and Giants.
“He’s Jersey’s own,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “I could see it in his eyes, from the first snap. This meant more to him.”
Despite the proximity, this was Pacheco’s first game at MetLife. With family and friends in the stadium, he wanted to make the most of it.
“It’s a great feeling,” Pacheco said. “A great team win, and I felt light on my feet.”
On his long touchdown run, Pacheco ran out of a tackle in the backfield, hit the open field and was gone. The Chiefs needed one yard on third down. Pacheco gave them 48.
Earlier in the week, Pacheco said he often thinks about his touchdown celebration as he enters the end zone. This time, it took him an extra moment to break into a dance.
“I wasn’t thinking about nothing,” Pacheco said. “Just let me get to the end zone.”
As for the push-ups on a later run, Pacheco said he was a little slow getting up, so he needed a boost.
“I had to get my energy back,” he said.
On a night when Mahomes threw a pair of interceptions and the Chiefs were knocked back on their heels after taking the early lead, Pacheco was the game’s consistent force.
“He had a quite a night,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
And the Chiefs needed every bit of Pacheco’s energy.
This story was originally published October 2, 2023 at 12:23 AM.