The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled moving the ball on the ground through their first two games of the season, with most of their production coming in the form of scrambles from quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Running back Isiah Pacheco knows what he needs to do to change that.
The struggling tailback opened up about the challenge of facing the New York Giants, an otherwise struggling team with a strong defensive front. Pacheco has just 47 total yards rushing so far this season, but believes he can turn things around with a patient approach.
Isiah Pacheco Excited for This Week’s Challenge
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Pacheco said the team has faced some difficult front sevens so far this season and will face another challenge against the Giants.
“Every week, we’re going against opponents that are tough up front,” he said. “Competition every week, we have that. And that’s what it’s about, having fun, going out there and competing. And I believe we’re ready.”
Pacheco said he needs to adjust his approach on the ground, being more patient as he looks for openings.
“Just being a little bit more patient, as far as me, just allowing the game to come to me,” he said. “And just after that, just playing fast, playing hard for my teammates. And you know, just finish. Start finishing, at the start.”
Pacheco added that he was excited to return to his home state of New Jersey and wants to have a big game for his family who will be in the stadium watching.
“I mean, going back home is always exciting. So, being that close, not too far, being able to see people in the stands that not having seen in months, is always exciting for me. Knowing that I got fam there, but most importantly, I’m just going there on a mission.”
Chiefs Have Struggled Rushing This Season
The Chiefs have seen their rushing attack smothered through their 0-2 start, with Mahomes the only player who has been able to advance the ball on the ground. The quarterback has 13 carries for 123 yards with two touchdowns and 10 first downs — more production than the rest of the backfield combined.
As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted, the disparity could be a sign of a bigger problem for Kansas City’s offense.
“If Mahomes were also passing the ball like his old self and the Chiefs were winning, his success running the ball would seem like an added element to his game,” Smith wrote. “But Mahomes currently has career lows in completion percentage, touchdown percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating, and the Chiefs are 0-2. Mahomes isn’t running to add an element to the Chiefs’ already potent offense, he’s running because nothing else is working.”
The Chiefs are trying to avoid the first 0-3 start since 2011, desperate to keep pace in the division and the conference. They went 15-2 and earned the No. 1 overall seed last season, but have already fallen 2.5 games behind the Buffalo Bills after Buffalo’s win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
