Damien Williams has solved the K.C. Chiefs rushing woes

For some time, the Chiefs have had questions about the running back position. Damien Williams has answered all those in the team’s run to Super Bowl LIV.

Even going back to his days in Philadelphia, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has taken his licks for not running the ball enough. For years, Eagles fans and analysts piled it on as one of the reasons he’d never won the big game.

That continued in Kansas City. When the Chiefs would lose a game, especially after leading by double digits, the pundits and fans would set their sights on Reid. They’d bring up his time in Philadelphia, and what the fans and analysts said there. They’d join the chorus of “experts” claiming the offensive imbalance was why he’d never won the Super Bowl.

With the advent of advanced analytics being used in football, or at least the publicity they have received in the last few years, it’s become apparent that passing is a far better way to win games. That said, the Chiefs still had their struggles.

From the injury to Spencer Ware to the rise and fall of Kareem Hunt to their struggles this season determining who would be the bell cow, the backfield has been in flux for some time. This season alone, the Chiefs and Andy Reid attempted to give the majority of the snaps to four running backs: Williams, Ware, LeSean McCoy, and Darrell Williams with a little Darwin Thompson sprinkled in. It seemed Reid didn’t trust any of them with the full responsibilities as the team’s starting running back.

That all changed late in the season, and continued into the playoffs. “Big Game Dame,” as Damien Williams has become known, was the chosen lead back this postseason. He averaged nearly 20 touches per game and over five yards per touch. He showed his dynamic playmaking ability in the Super Bowl, which was desperately needed with Patrick Mahomes needing a safety blanket against a vaunted pass rush. Williams excelled, with his number called 21 times for 133 total yards and 2 touchdowns. There are a number in the national and local media who even think he should have been the Super Bowl MVP.

What’s most impressive about all this is the lengths that Williams had to go to get here. Undrafted out of the University of Oklahoma, Williams struggled to contribute after signing a free agent deal with the Miami Dolphins. Even after coming to the Chiefs, Williams only saw the field out of necessity for most of 2018.

Yet this postseason and in the Super Bowl, Williams set a couple records. He tied the NFL record for most touchdowns in one quarter of the Super Bowl with two critical scores in the fourth quarter. His first touchdown in particular was a unique demonstration of the awareness he possesses. Had he not scored that touchdown, with the Chiefs potentially opting for a field goal on fourth down, we might be having a different conversation this week.

That’s not all. Williams six touchdowns in the 2019 postseason put him alone atop the standings of the most scores in one postseason by an undrafted free agent in NFL history. All told, in five playoff games over two seasons, Williams is averaging 20.4 touches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s gained an impressive 4.4 yards per carry and nearly 9 yards per reception.

“Big Game Dame” has earned his nickname and answered the team’s questions at the running back position. There’s been talk of the Chiefs signing or drafting a running back this offseason, but my guess is they won’t. Williams excels in the passing game and is more than respectable in the run game. Given the Chiefs passing offense, he’s answered all the questions he needs to for next season.

"Handoff Damien Williams makes it to the edge, breaks a tackle…35! 30! Damien Williams 20! stays in bounds! 15! 10! 5! Touchdown Kan-sas City! And Damien Williams runs into immortality and will be remembered in Chiefs Kingdom forever! – Mitch Holthus"