Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco always seems to be in a hurry. He runs the ball hard, bounces up quickly after being tackled and plays with an energy that is infectious.
But for the New Jersey native, playing close to home gave him a little extra motivation and that was evident from the get-go in the Chiefs’ 23-20 victory against the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
In the first quarter, Pacheco, who grew up in Vinland and played collegiately at nearby Rutgers, ran for a 48-yard touchdown en route to a career performance as he finished with 115 yards rushing, 43 yard receiving and 158 total yards.
“He’s Jersey’s own,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He went to Rutgers He played in Jersey, he loves it kind of how I am with Texas. He has a lot of pride in it, and I could see it from the first snap. I could see it in his eyes. This meant more to him, and he did a great job catching the ball, running the ball and made some great runs when we really needed him.”
Pacheco’s 48-yard TD run and 115 yards on the ground were both career-highs. He also had friends and family in the stands rooting him on.
“It was a great feeling,” Pacheco said. “I’ve never been in this stadium before. First professional real football game inside this stadium. It’s a great feeling. It’s a blessing seeing my family here supporting me and not only that but to get a victory.”
Early on a Chiefs’ win seemed like a foregone conclusion as they raced out to a 17-0 lead. But turnovers and penalties helped the Jets get going offensively and they rallied all the way back to tie it at 20 at the end of the third quarter.
A Harrison Butker field goal in the fourth quarter proved the game-winner, but the Chiefs defense buckled down and got stops, and the offense kept the ball for the final 7 1/2 minutes of the game.
“It starts in practice,” Pacheco said of the Chiefs’ ability to run out the clock late. “Practicing those situations and getting down to it and listening to Pat on his calls and making sure that we play for one another.”
The Chiefs (3-1) have won three in a row and now sit atop the AFC West, thanks in part to the resurgent run game led by Pacheco.
“It shows how much we play for one another,” Pacheco said. “And not only that, but we got a lot more ball to play and a lot more time to build with each other. It was a hard grind. Every time I got in the huddle, I was telling the o-line, ‘Let’s strain, let’s finish.’ That was the mindset. I felt good tonight. I felt light on my feet. Back to the process.”
