The Kansas City Chiefs running backs room didn’t disappoint in their first test of the season.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerrick Mckinnon, and Isiah Pacheco saw significant time on Sunday and proved their case for more in the future. They were effective throughout the Chiefs’ 44-21 victory contributing on the ground and in the passing game.
Each was rotated for roles during the course of the game, providing their particular talents on specific play packages. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy praised the performances, singling out the rookie Pacheco, during Monday’s press conference.
“More than anything, I thought he did a good job of just playing hard,” said Bienemy. “I thought he was on point with his footwork, his aiming points. But there’s also a little few things that we need to just continue working on. One thing I’ll share with each and every rookie for the first time is anybody can do anything once, you know? It’s all about making sure that you can put consistent behavior on tape week in and week out.”
Pacheco made his debut in Week 1, finishing the game as the team’s leading rusher with 12 carries for 61 yards and a score. They’ll look to build on that performance in a short week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“So, the biggest thing now is just making sure that he gets in the building, he takes care of his body, and understands how to get ready for (a) Thursday night game, and that’s just mentally understanding that he has taken work home, he has to take care of his body (physically),” Bieniemy explained. “That’s just not for him, it’s for all of our young guys. And just making sure that he’ll be physically ready and mentally ready for this next opponent.”
Pacheco wasn’t the only one to usurp some glory in Week 1. Edwards-Helaire reminded the league why he was a first-round draft pick with a strong performance. He finished with 42 yards rushing and two touchdown receptions, showcasing his versatility in the offense.
“Well, I thought first of all, just what you said, I thought Clyde (Edwards-Helaire) did a heck of job starting the game off,” said Bieniemy. “I thought our entire offense came out firing on all cylinders. Those guys came out fast; they came out with some energy, some excitement. They just created a presence that ‘hey, we’re going to stay on the attack.’ And I love what we’re bringing to the table. I thought the run game was going. I thought Clyde did some great things in the pass game, just like the rest of the (running) backs. I thought Jerick (McKinnon) did some great things, Isiah. Obviously, (Michael) Burton stepping in and doing his stuff, but the thing about it, it was a great team victory because you know why? We remained accountable to one another. How do we remain accountable to one another? We play hard, we play fast, and we have a sense of urgency and a sense of purpose in everything that we do, and that’s why we came away with that victory.
The dominating victory on Sunday is followed by a key AFC West battle on Thursday night. The glow from winning the opening game will fade away quickly in the home opener if the team doesn’t get started on the right foot in front of the Arrowhead crowd.
“Now as much as it was a good win for us, hell, it was shortly celebrated,” Bienimy concluded. “We were thinking about the next opponent as soon as the clock hit the final buzzer, so it’s time to move on, and it’s time to think about them Chargers now.”
