Chiefs running backs on a roll & what else to watch on Christmas Day vs. Steelers
The Chiefs have some nice options at running back as they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers for a Christmas Day NFL game on Wednesday.
In Saturday’s victory over the Houston Texans, the Chiefs picked up 124 rushing yards. Running backs Samaje Perine and Kareem Hunt combined for five receptions for 74 yards.
A week earlier, at Cleveland, the Chiefs ran for 132 yards. And Perine and Isiah Pacheco chipped in first-down receptions.
The Chiefs entered the season with Pacheco as their starter at running back, but he suffered a fractured fibula in a Week 2 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
For one game, the Chiefs went with Perine and rookie Carson Steele as their top backfield options. But by the next week they had signed Hunt, their top running back in 2017 and 2018, and he made an immediate impact.
Hunt will wind up as the Chiefs’ leading rusher this season. He has 708 yards entering Wednesday’s Week 17 game. Next is Pacheco with 295.
But it’s the yards Hunt left on the field against the Texans that impressed KC offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.
With the Chiefs holding a 27-19 lead, Hunt went into a slide after 20 yards instead of churning for more — and perhaps stopping the clock. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took a knee twice to end the game.
In Hunt’s rookie year, he found himself in a similar position, but he completed a 69-yard touchdown run against the Chargers.
“He knew to get to down, and he did,” Nagy said. “It speaks to his experience.”
Pacheco, the team’s rushing leader each of the past two seasons, has been back for four games and has returned to his starting role. But Hunt continues to be productive — in fact, he has had more rushing attempts in the last two games than Pacheco (24-22).
Perine has taken on the role formerly held by Jerick McKinnon — a third-down back and receiving target. Perine tops the Chiefs’ running backs with 25 receptions and 289 receiving yards.
Steele, the rookie, has lost touches in the shuffle. His last rushing attempt came against the Carolina Panthers, the game before Pacheco returned. But his special teams snaps have ramped up.
Here’s who else to watch on Christmas Day in a game that kicks off at noon (Central Time):
Chiefs player to watch: Safety Jaden Hicks
After Xavier Worthy, no player from the Chiefs’ 2024 NFL Draft class is having a better season than Hicks.
He’s come on strong recently with interceptions in each of his last two games. A ball-hawking defensive back wasn’t Hicks’ reputation at Washington State, but he leads the Chiefs with three interceptions.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Hicks said. “When I get labeled as a run-stopping safety or something like that, it just fuels the fire even more.”
Steelers player to watch: Edge rusher T.J. Watt
Another week, another disrupting defensive force against the Chiefs.
Watt is dealing with a sore ankle, but he leads the NFL in forced fumbles (six) and tackles for loss (18). The six-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro has 11 1/2 sacks and is in the running for defensive player of the year.
He should be motivated this week. Watt had a quiet game against the Baltimore Ravens last week with no sacks or tackles for loss.
The Chiefs continue with their makeshift offensive line with a chance that Joe Thuney will start his third game at left tackle, and Wanya Morris could get the nod at right tackle.
Special teams: Steelers kicker Chris Boswell
It’s been a while, but Boswell once outscored the Chiefs all by himself. In a 2017 Divisional Round game at Arrowhead, Boswell booted six field goals in an 18-16 Pittsburgh victory.
The 10-year pro has had an exceptional career, making 87.9% of his attempts. This year, he leads the NFL with 39 field goals and has nailed all 32 extra points.