Chiefs resist temptation at giving ball to Dontari Poe

The Chiefs deployed Pro Bowl nose tackle Dontari Poe at fullback in the goal-line offense on Sunday against Seattle, but for the third time this year, they resisted the temptation to give him the ball.

Poe, a 6-foot-3, 346-pounder, led the way for Jamaal Charles’ 1-yard gain to the Seattle 1, but he was replaced by two extra offensive linemen and fullback Anthony Sherman for the next play, a 1-yard touchdown run by Charles.

“I don’t know how tempting it is,” said offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. “I don’t know how much you want to hand the ball to a defensive lineman or throw it to an offensive lineman.

“You try to keep it in your skill guys’ hands and let them make plays. But a guy like that, as athletic as he is and the mobility that he can present and do some of the things that he does, it’s something that we will continue to explore from week to week and if he creates a matchup, we’ll do it. If not, we’ll keep our guys in their rightful positions.”

In Sunday’s games, Indianapolis threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo; and Houston tossed a 2-yard fade to defensive end J.J. Watt for his second touchdown of the season.

“I don’t know if we would split Dontari Poe out wide like that and throw him a fade,” Pederson chuckled, “but you never know, you never know.”

Poe has been used in goal-line situations against New England and the Jets, helping pave the way for touchdowns on two of three short-yardage runs by Charles.

“He’s a big guy, and he has the ability to do that,” Pederson said. “He’s so athletic and can move for such a big guy and move well that he can definitely open up a hole for one of our tailbacks for sure.”

This story was originally published November 17, 2014 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Chiefs resist temptation at giving ball to Dontari Poe."