The Kansas City Chiefs offense can be unstoppable at times, case in point last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Chiefs gained 417 total yards with 189 coming on the ground. Rookie running back Isiah Pacheco added 63 yards on 11 carries while Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the way with 92 yards on 19 carries. It was the most playing time Pacheco has had since Week 1 against Arizona when he rushed for 62 yards on 12 carries.
“The confidence is helping me a lot more,” Pacheco said Thursday as the team began preparation for Monday night’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. “Being able to play faster and being confident in the play and the scheme and understating my job allows me to go out there and execute and play fast and protect Patrick (Mahomes).”
Pacheco’s tough running style has earned praise from coaches and teammates, and he said playing physical is something he enjoys.
“When I’m on that field, that’s the only place you’re allowed to hit somebody as hard as you can without getting in trouble,” Pacheco said. “So when I’m out there, I leave it all out there.”
But before Pacheco sets foot on the field, he spends hours watching film. It’s during those film sessions where he gets another perspective on how to improve his game. He said each time he watches film he picks three areas where he can improve each week. One area is patience.
“That’s where I come in looking at those three things I need to get better on,” Pacheco said. “Listening to coach when it comes to the film session telling me to be a lot more patient, and that’s the best way to see it. When you’re in the film room you get a better feel of the reads that I could’ve hit or which hole I could have went through.”
Pacheco also said getting more accustomed to the speed of the game and reading pre-snap movements from defenders better are areas he’s been working on. He’s also still adjusting to being the team’s primary kick returner.
However, Pacheco said the most important thing is walking off the field a winner — like he did in Tampa.
“I was out there having fun so I really wasn’t worried about anything besides winning,” Pacheco said. “So for me, whatever I had to do to get my job done on the field, that’s what I was worried about.”
BUTKER STILL OUT
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker missed Thursday’s practice as he still has swelling in his left ankle. Butker could miss his fourth straight game as he hasn’t played since he sprained his ankle against the Cardinals in Week 1.
“He’s got some swelling in there that he just has to get out,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
Matthew Wright would take Butker’s place for the second week in a row if he can’t play against the Raiders. Wright made all five of his extra points and both of his field goal attempts last week against the Buccaneers.
MCDUFFIE NEARING RETURN
Cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs’ first-round pick, is close to returning to the team. McDuffie, who injured his hamstring in Week 1, was placed on injured reserve and is eligible to return after the game against the Raiders.
“He’s doing great,” Reid said. “He’s got this week here. I think he’ll get back in there maybe next week.”
