The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense through two weeks hasn’t exactly been good. Yes, both losses have been by one score, but there is something really troubling about how Andy Reid’s team is going about their business.
The Chiefs are averaging 19 points per game, ranked 24th, but it is the lack of a run game that is proving to be the biggest bugaboo for the AFC champs right now.
In fact, Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs’ leading rusher…and by a substantial margin.
Mahomes has 123 rushing yards, with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both totaling 47 yards. That isn’t a sustainable offensive model given the number of hits Patrick is taking, especially against the Philadelphia Eagles, as that was the only way for the offense to function.
But is Reid fine with his most prized asset getting put in harm’s way by running?
“Yeah, listen, I’m okay with it as long as he can come back upright, we’re okay,” Reid said. “I don’t like him taking big hits, but he’s a competitive kid.”
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Mahomes’ increased running recipe for disaster
Given how important Mahomes is to the Chiefs’ chances of making the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl, having him run as much as both running backs through two weeks isn’t great.
Given the number of hits he’s taken, that will slowly wear down on his body, and that is when the injury risk increases. All it takes is for one helmet to hit the wrong part of his arm or shoulder, and Kansas City will have a huge problem.
The odd scramble here and there to evade pressure is fine, but that can’t become the normal operation for the offense. Mahomes needs help, and it starts with the run game of Hunt and Pacheco.
Because if Patrick keeps leading the offense in rushing yards week in week out, we get the sense that eventually that physical punishment will take its toll.
And that would be a disaster for Kansas City.
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