Kansas City Chiefs: 8 Takeaways From Week 7’s Heart-Pounding Thriller

7. Jamaal Charles And Knile Davis Aren’t Interchangeable

Oct 19, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) cuts upfield after getting by San Diego Chargers defensive end Tenny Palepoi (72) and inside linebacker Andrew Gachkar (59) during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Knile Davis has already proven that he can handle the load of a starting tailback. That being said, he’s not Jamaal Charles.

Give Davis an open field, and his Mach-like speed and brutalizing power are a terrifying 1-2 combo for any defender. However, space is a prerequisite.

At this point in his career, Davis’ vision reminds me of Larry Johnson’s. (No, I’m not comparing him, on any other level, to No. 27.) He’s patient in the backfield, but if no crease presents itself, the play probably isn’t gaining more than few yards. He’ll lower his head and (hopefully) clutch the ball with two arms.

That’s not a con—it’s just not unique.

Charles, on the other hand, can make something of nothing. He’s an open-field illusionist who’s infinitely tougher than his frame suggests. If there’s no daylight, he creates his own.

That distinguishable trait is largely responsible for him becoming the Chiefs’ all-time leading rusher on Sunday. His 95 rushing yards boosted his career total to 6,113, eclipsing the former benchmark of 6,070 by Priest Holmes. And No. 25 not only claimed the record, he did so in 214 fewer attempts.

Unlike Johnson’s once-threatening pace, fans couldn’t be happier to call Charles the all-time leader.