Five biggest surprises from the Kansas City Chiefs ‘run it back’ campaign so far

The focus on the run game

I wrote a few weeks ago regarding the Chiefs focus on the running game. In the game against the Buffalo Bills they rushed the ball a whopping 46 times. Granted the weather wasn’t great, but 46 times was the most an Andy Reid team had every run the ball in a single game.

While only halfway through the season, the Chiefs were on pace to run the ball more than any Andy Reid team for a season save the 2002 Philadelphia Eagles. For a coach who’s been chided for his reliance on the pass, and who had the game’s most explosive quarterback and passing offense, it was an odd sight to behold.

Truth be told, while the focus on the run in a few games has been readily apparent it’s been a little overblown. Patrick Mahomes has thrown the ball on 40 or more plays in half of the games this season, and is on pace to potentially add another MVP trophy to his growing collection of awards.

That said, the Chiefs offense has demonstrated an ability to run the ball effectively that Chiefs Kingdom hasn’t really seen since the departure of Kareem Hunt. If the Chiefs are going to be unstoppable running the ball like they are passing, which seems like it might be the case, the rest of the NFL should pack it in for the foreseeable future.