Final Update: Pacheco finished the game with eight carries for 23 yards. He brought in all four of his targets for 32 more yards. While it was a slow game for the running back, the concerning part is his usage. He did leave the field with a cramp for a few plays, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire had six carries for 22 yards and one reception for seven additional yards.
Patrick Mahomes ended up leading the backfield with 45 rushing yards on six carries. Hopefully the return of tight end Travis Kelce will help to open up the offense next week.
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing the Detroit Lions in the first game of the 2023 NFL season. Tight end Travis Kelce isn’t playing in the game, which has caused the team to switch up its offensive game plan. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes still looks like a video game character, but the run game hasn’t quite caught up.
Second-year running back Isiah Pacheco was expected to be the starting running back in the offense, but it has been more of a committee. Pacheco only has three carries for nine yards at halftime. He has added one reception on one target for an additional five yards. Teammate Clyde Edwards-Helaire also has three carries but has 10 yards rushing.
Kansas City appears to be searching for its hot hand in the backfield but has been unable to find it through a half of football. Pacheco was notably not on the field when the Chiefs were near the goal line, and that could certainly tank his fantasy football value if CEH or Jerick McKinnon are going to serve as his touchdown vultures.