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Kansas City Chiefs: Maclin Shmaclin, RUN THE BALL!

By Lyle Graversen

Oct 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

So we just saw that the 2016 Chiefs were down in rushing production about 300 yards, .5 yards per carry, and a few touchdowns from their averages for Reid’s first three seasons in Kansas City. That in and of itself would be worrisome, but the Chiefs actually suffered an even more drastic drop in rushing production than those numbers show. The Chiefs rushing statistics were bailed out by their little guys (mostly Tyreek Hill). The combination of Hill, Albert Wilson, and DeAnthoy Thomas combined for 30 rushes, 346 yards, a whopping 11.5 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns.

In 2015 the Chiefs running game production came from Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis, and Alex Smith. Those five players put up the following rushing stats in 2015:

415 attempts, 1,971 yards, 4.75 YPC, 17 TDs

Those same five players saw a MASSIVE decline in productivity in 2016.

375 attempts, 1,411 yards, 3.76 YPC, 10 TDs

That is a massive drop in production that was masked by the some explosive often “gadget” like plays by KC’s little wide receivers. If the Chiefs want their offense to be consistent enough to win, especially in the postseason, they have to find a way to get their rushing productivity up. Those big plays by guys like Hill obviously help the team and provide a spark, but one big play every 3-4 games doesn’t provide a reliable rushing attack to compliment Alex Smith.

Just to put into perspective how bad the Chiefs traditional rushing attack was last season. If you took the 30 carries they gave to Hill, Wilson, and DAT and replaced it with 30 carries of the 3.76 YPC the others got it would give the Chiefs a total rushing stat line of:

405 attempts, 1524 yards, 3.76 PYC, 11 TDs

That would have ranked Kansas City 25th in the NFL in rushing yards and 26th in yards per carry. THAT my friends, is what has to be better in 2017 if the Chiefs want to have a shot at making a run at a Super Bowl this season. Alex Smith is going to be Alex Smith. The Chiefs have some elite weapons for him to throw to. The defense is going to keep Kansas City in games. The question is if the running game can return to form after an abysmal 2016 season.

So what has to happen for things to improve? I’m glad you asked.

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