Chiefs vs. Broncos: Kareem Hunt doubles season output in division win

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt came up big when the team needed someone to do just that against the Broncos.

Sammy Watkins was injured. Travis Kelce was uncharacteristically unreliable. Tyreek Hill had largely been taken out of the game plan. The Kansas City Chiefs needed someone to step up and help Patrick Mahomes move the chains.

It turns out Kareem Hunt was more than up to the task, as if anyone doubted his ability to do so. Last year’s NFL rushing leader had been slow out of the gate as K.C.’s new pass-happy offense made stars out of the pass catching positions first. On Monday Night Football, in another strong primetime performance, Hunt came up huge for the Chiefs in a gritty road win over the Denver Broncos.

Hunt came into the game with 173 yards from scrimmage in the Chiefs first three games of the season. He ended up with 175 yards from scrimmage in the team’s 27-23 win over the Broncos. His final line: 19 rushes for 121 yards on the ground and 1 touchdown with another 3 catches for 54 receiving yards.

Hunt’s ability to come up big was monumental on a night where it looked like Patrick Mahomes was largely willing the team down the field on passing downs for much of the game. Watkins left early with a hamstring injury and never returned, and Kelce was shut out entirely for the first half with numerous drops. Tyreek Hill had the quietest 9 catch game ever, and the Chiefs offense, which had been the talk of the NFL, couldn’t get anything moving.

Fortunately Hunt was up to the task of moving the chains, as he established himself early as a threat to the Broncos defense. Denver deserves credit for the way they defended Kelce in the first half and Hill for the entire game, but they had no answer at all for Hunt who was able to generate yards inside, gain considerable yards around the edge and prove dangerous as an outlet for Mahomes through the air.

Hunt had fielded questions about whether or not this offense was going to hinder him, but what is clear is that the Chiefs simply have so many weapons that everyone is going to have to be patient. This team needed a new hero on Monday, besides Mahomes of course, and Hunt gave them one, reminding us all of the greatness he displayed from the moment he first set foot on an NFL field.