Chiefs’ Offense Overcomes Injuries with Efficient Running Game

The Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense has faced significant challenges this season, primarily due to a series of injuries. This has left head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy with the daunting task of reconfiguring their strategies to tackle these adversities.The rushing attack has emerged as the most reliable aspect of the Chiefs’ offense, despite setbacks such as the loss of running back Isiah Pacheco after Week 2. The absence of Pacheco has been felt in the team’s reduced number of big plays on the ground, as they have secured 10 or more yards on merely four percent of their run plays this season. This marks the lowest rate for any NFL team since 2016, according to Pro Football Reference.

The focus of the Chiefs’ run game has shifted towards maintaining offensive momentum and avoiding long-yardage third downs. As a consequence, the Chiefs have executed their rushes successfully on 51.3% of their attempts, ranking second in the NFL. This statistic is indicative of the strategy in place, turning the run game into a tool for overall offensive consistency.NFL Pro defines a successful run as one that achieves the necessary yardage on second down, or a run that moves the chains on third or fourth down. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has articulated the benefits of these efficient runs, stating in a press conference, “When you’re able to run the ball like we’ve been able to do, it’s a stress reliever for offensive linemen in pass protection; it gives the quarterback a breather every now and then. We want to be able to keep that going because we want to be balanced, but we want to have an identity.”

Despite the changes necessitated by their personnel situation, the Chiefs’ run game has maintained its effectiveness by focusing on fundamental plays. Nagy likens their strategic focus to a “tight Italian menu,” emphasizing a streamlined approach to play-calling that maximizes player strengths. During the offseason, the coaching staff explores various strategies, refining their game plans to suit specific opponents by the time the regular season commences.Furthermore, offensive line coach Andy Heck and assistant coach Corey Matthaei play pivotal roles in preparing players during organized team activities (OTAs) to execute these strategies. Nagy highlighted their contribution, saying, “You get pullers, gap scheme, it’s downhill. We’ve been a mid-zone, outside-zone, inside-zone team for a long, long time, and that continues. We just want to make sure that we’re putting the guys collectively in the right spots.”

The execution of these plays on the field is brought to life by key players like center Creed Humphrey, left guard Joe Thuney, and right guard Trey Smith. Nagy stresses the importance of these players’ roles, explaining, “The players executing the scheme… it’s a mentality. You have to be able to have that. Specifically, situationally you want to be good, whether that’s third and one, short yardage, in the red zone.”Despite the absence of Pacheco, the Chiefs continue to utilize their running backs Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, and Carson Steele, who have proven capable of finishing strong through contact. Their contributions have been significant in maintaining the Chiefs’ unbeaten record of 5-0, illustrating how this pieced-together backfield remains a viable part of the offense.