Kareem Hunt's revenge game takes a backseat to Chiefs' consistency, close games

Week in and week out the Chiefs continue to provide drama, tight games and so much more content for NFL fans, especially after going 12-1 despite their lack of consistency on offense and defense. So with that, there are already countless key storylines heading into Kansas City's Week 15 matchup at Cleveland, but one that isn't making the front page is a first-time revenge game for an unlikely savior of the 2024 season.

Kareem Hunt was originally drafted by Kansas City but, after being released in 2018, spent the last five seasons playing for his favorite childhood team in Cleveland. And for the first time (so far) in his NFL career Hunt is able to experience a "revenge game" against that team that he grew up rooting for.

Even though both sides hold nothing but respect for the other (more below), this game will be the prime moment for Hunt to pull out a career day in a vengeful fashion against the only other NFL team he's played for. Why? Because it's obvious that Patrick Mahomes needs less passing attempts to preserve his body for the playoffs, and because Cleveland ranks 22nd in rush yards allowed per game (127.9).

Not only that, Cleveland allows the third-most rush touchdowns per game (1.4) and the sixth-most rush yards per attempt (4.5) which means it could be a field day for Hunt to remind them what they're missing in their running back room. All-in-all, Sunday's game in Cleveland looks to provide the perfect chance for Hunt and the offense to silence the non-stop criticisms that lead every daily sports show.

After replacing the injured Isiah Pacheco in week three Hunt has played some of his better games over the past few years, rushing for over 100 yards in two games and finding the endzone five times. He's racked up 608 yards on the ground on 167 rushing attempts (3.6 ypa) and has added on 148 receiving yards on 20 catches (7.4 ypc).

Those numbers are close to his averages during his tenure as a Brown, and those numbers could go up on Sunday with a run-heavy offense needed to alleviate the Chiefs' constant left tackle problems that lead the headlines every week.

Kareem in Cleveland...

Hunt, once released from Kansas City, was picked up by Cleveland in February of 2019. Former Chiefs' GM John Dorsey was in the same position in Cleveland when Hunt hit free agency, and chose to give him a second chance at an NFL career which Hunt did not waste.

After serving his suspension Hunt backed up the rookie sensation Nick Chubb, a player he shared the locker room with all five seasons. Hunt didn't do much that first year (2019-20) but the next year he recorded his second-best season on the ground with 841 yards and six touchdowns along with 300 more yards and five more touchdowns through the air.

Chubb's nagging injuries allowed Hunt to shine when needed--something he's now doing for Pacheco--but when both players were healthy they were a dangerous one-two punch. In fact, they ranked in the top six for three seasons straight (2020-22) in total rushing yards thanks to the unmovable force that Hunt and Chubb bring to the tail end of their powerful runs.

Overall, Hunt played 64 games for Cleveland over the five-year span, ending with a one-year deal due to Chubb's season-ending injury. In those games Hunt ran for 2,285 yards, averaged 4.0 yards per attempt and found the endzone 25 times. He also caught 147 passes for 1,057 yards (7.2 ypc) with another seven touchdowns.

Amazingly, despite playing 27 less games in Kansas City, Hunt has amassed more rush yardage as a Chief (2,759) and is two touchdowns away from tying his total (32) that he scored in Cleveland--perhaps he finds those two against his old team this Sunday?

Hunt's former coach praises him ahead of Sunday's matchup...

The Browns' season has not gone how they wanted: They lost their $230 million quarterback to a season-ending injury after poor performances up to that point, they sit in last place of the AFC North at 3-10, and they are one of six teams in the AFC to be officially eliminated from playoff contention.

That won't stop Jameis Winston from playing the way he plays, and that won't stop their defense from pressuring Mahomes. That also won't stop the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, Kevin Stefanski, from preparing for their former running back:

"(Hunt) is a person and a player that I have a ton of respect for," Stefanski said on Wednesday. "He's elite in short-yardage. He's elite in the screen game. He runs hard."

Stefanski was also asked why Cleveland chose not to re-sign Hunt this offseason despite knowing that Chubb would not be able to start the season after a gruesome knee injury early in the 2023 season:

"There's always roster decisions that are made for a variety of reason," Stefanski answered.

Even though none of this is close to "bulletin board material" for Hunt, he will be playing in a stadium he grew up in against a team that could have used him all season long and chose not to ... maybe all that is enough to spark something under the 29-year old.

Win or lose, the Chiefs' running game is set up for success against Cleveland. Hopefully that rushing attack flourishes with a now-healthy Pacheco alongside Hunt, allowing Mahomes' body a little less punishment to begin a three-game stretch in 10 days.