We need to talk more thoroughly and more focused about this specific addition. I can't remember a more fringe midseason addition having this kind of impact on the team.
How unlikely all of this is and seems.
After re-watching the last couple of games, I think I can comfortably say that age-29, sitting-on-the-couch-weeks-ago, 2024 Kareem Hunt has helped transform this offense, along with the incredible play-style flexibility of Mahomes and Andy Reid.
This is a guy who was run out on a rail for lying to the owner's face, seemingly banished from KC forever as an example to all players, it would seem, to do whatever you need to do in the world but you always shoot Clark Hunt straight.
And we add him back, albeit in desperation. This offense was supposed to be a high octane machine, but we no longer had the ability to field an effective WR corps due to injury, and then we lose our best RB as well.
So we add Hunt to somehow alleviate the situation. But what he did was transform it.
The Chiefs were already on their way to playing more conservative, possession-passing offense with lots of running when they added Hunt due to all of the injuries they were sustaining. They were as efficient as you could hope for, but the offense was looking bogged down, with Kelce lagging in production and the LT position dragging the entire offense down.
Adding Hunt has somehow, some way, allowed the Chiefs to effectively play the style they were already trying to play. They are converting third downs at historic rates, they are winning time of possession by entire kilometers now rather than losing time of possession, which they did for the first few years of Mahomes. They regularly have six-, seven-, eight-minute drives and drain the will of defenses.
It's a complete about-face from what they wanted to play this season, and I think it's really only as efficient as it is because Hunt is playing so well. You can put that on Thuney/Creed/Trey as well, but nobody after Pacheco was playing this well behind that line. Kareem's allowed this transition to thrive in KC.
The addition of Hopkins only allows them to be more efficient, and when December/January arrives, when Pacheco will be back to split carries with Hunt (maybe even taking most of them away), it wouldn't surprise me if Hopkins was the more impactful midseason acquisition when it's all said and done.
But we need to commemorate this moment, and remember what Kareem allowed this team to do in the middle of the season, while our injuries was hollowed out so much of our offensive talent, and yet the team kept winning with the offense putting up good statlines.
I just never would have bet on any of that happening. [Reply]
So far so good. At his age, he can't keep the current pace up or he'll need a lot of spare parts. Substitute until Pacheco's back (queue The Who) .
I'm a substitute for another guy
I look pretty tall but my heels are high
The simple things you see are all complicated
Look pretty young, but I'm just back dated, yeah... [Reply]
Once we have Pacheco back, if we haven’t run hunt down completely, we are going to have a RB tandem that rivals Detroit. We can just run the ball down anyone’s throat and that’s how we should continue to play the game until they load up the box. And then , with the addition of Hopkins and the maturation of worthy that I hope will keep coming, we will have a passing game that is unstoppable especially if we get brown back. I think it’s too much to hope to get rice back, but that would certainly be an added bonus. [Reply]
Originally Posted by gordonelloyd:
Once we have Pacheco back, if we haven’t run hunt down completely, we are going to have a RB tandem that rivals Detroit. We can just run the ball down anyone’s throat and that’s how we should continue to play the game until they load up the box. And then , with the addition of Hopkins and the maturation of worthy that I hope will keep coming, we will have a passing game that is unstoppable especially if we get brown back. I think it’s too much to hope to get rice back, but that would certainly be an added bonus.
Even Juju would be significant. JuJu, Kelce and Hopkins working the short to intermediate field, then you still have Worthy to take the top off too. Yeeeeeeeaaaahh, someone is getting open for sure. [Reply]
Originally Posted by gordonelloyd:
Once we have Pacheco back, if we haven’t run hunt down completely, we are going to have a RB tandem that rivals Detroit. We can just run the ball down anyone’s throat and that’s how we should continue to play the game until they load up the box. And then , with the addition of Hopkins and the maturation of worthy that I hope will keep coming, we will have a passing game that is unstoppable especially if we get brown back. I think it’s too much to hope to get rice back, but that would certainly be an added bonus.
When we get Pacheco back (if he's 100%), I'm almost of the mindset of giving Hunt a week off to rest up for the home stretch. Pacheco is expected back at the "end of November." Is that 11/24 or 11/29?
Let's say we beat the Broncos (11/10) and the Bills (11/17). We'll have a 3 game lead with tie-breakers for the AFC 1 seed.
The next games are the Panthers (11/24) and then a super short week against the Raiders (11/29).
If Pacheco is back for 11/24 in a throwaway NFC game against a terrible team, I'd like to load-manage Hunt for that game and give him the extra time on the short week. [Reply]
He’s been incredible. We’re using him like a bell cow too! He got 27 carries last game! He’s been so good it’s like Pachecco never went down, they’ll be awesome together!
Andy’s always been the coach that gives players who made mistakes a second chance and they love him for it.
So happy for him and looking forward to a 3-Peat!!! [Reply]
Originally Posted by Couch-Potato:
Shocked he’s not getting more attention from talking heads for his contributions.
It's kind of like Andy Reid and Coach of the Year consideration. Everyone expects the Chiefs to do well, so they tend to overlook individual contributions beyond our superstars. [Reply]
Since we picked up Kareem, on 3rd or 4th and short,, in obvious run situations, do you ever have any doubt lately we are going to convert? I dont think that is some strange coincidence. Kareem is a freaking DAWG. His vision, short area quickness/slashing and absolute DESIRE to convert first downs is off the charts. Im not calling him Marcus Allen but I'm not so sure there is another back in the league I'd want back there on 4th and half a yard with your season on the line. Absolutely huge addition for a franchise that has struggled with short yardage offense for years now. [Reply]
Bro was looking at retirement? Now he'll be considered for a decent salary at the end of the season.
He was a situational backing CLE and had some injury time off. He's got a lot to prove. Especially here.
He knew she's got something to prove and he's doing it. Bringing the hunger into the locker room, as long as it's in the right form and not selfish, spreads the energy around.
I just hope they spell him or spread it around a bit cuz 26 rushes a game did LJ in. [Reply]
A lot of the year left but damn would it be nice if we 3 peat and both Kareem and DHop decide they want to run it back for contracts we can swing. Add Hollyood and Juju to that list as well. [Reply]