Six encouraging signs from KC Chiefs win over Pittsburgh Steelers

Jerick McKinnon

The Kansas City Chiefs have pieced together decent running back production this season using multiple backs. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is their starter when healthy and has been… fine. Darrel Williams has proven to be an incredibly valuable contributor who has taken over the lead role on numerous occasions and performed well enough that some fans prefer him to CEH. Even Derrick Gore has had some valuable touches as the season has gone on.

However, with Clyde still out while nursing an injury and Williams slowed by a toe injury of his own (and possibly in the dog house after his second-quarter fumble), the Chiefs turned to veteran Jerick McKinnon to carry the load against the Steelers and he answered in a big way. McKinnon finished the game with 12 carries for 61 yards (5.1 YPC) and 6 receptions for 81 yards and 1 touchdown.

However, it wasn’t just the numbers McKinnon put up; it’s what he showed in doing it. He has the burst to get outside better than either CEH or Williams can, but still has the toughness to fight for yards between the tackles. He also showed that he can be an excellent threat out of the backfield catching the ball. In other words, he can do everything in this offense well and that’s not something I think we can say about any other back on this roster.

I don’t know what will happen next week if all of KC’s running backs are healthy enough to play. I’m guessing they will use a rotation of some kind, but they would be idiots not to make McKinnon a key part of it after what he has shown the past couple of weeks. After missing some time on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, McKinnon now looks like one of KC’s best offensive weapons. That has really been the story of his career. He flashes fantastic ability but struggles to stay healthy. Well, he’s healthy right now and the Chiefs should take full advantage of that going forward in the playoffs.

Now let’s talk about a couple of positive signs for the defense.