Isiah Pacheco Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs offense receives big boost before AFC Championship Game

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 1/28/24

Although Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (toe) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, he will suit up in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
The second-year RB is officially listed as active, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The main concern was swelling in his toe. Tracy Wolfson of CBS Sports reported that it has gone down, and he will wear special cleats.

Chiefs’ LB Willie Gay, who could have been used to spy on Lamar Jackson if he played, is inactive today due to a neck injury.

Chiefs’ RB Isiah Pacheco officially is active.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 28, 2024

Last postseason, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid called the 24-year-old — who had 197 rushing yards — the offense's "Energizer Bunny." Once again, he's fulfilling a similar role. He's rushed for the second-most yards (186) in the playoffs.

Isiah Pacheco takes it in for a touchdown. Chiefs retake the lead! pic.twitter.com/3bLn8ARPXo
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) January 22, 2024

According to NFL.com's Kevin Patra, if he rushes for 17 yards against Baltimore, he will become the fifth player in the last 50 seasons to log 400-plus rushing yards in their first two seasons (Marcus Allen, 574; Shonn Greene, 502; Fred Taylor, 493; Tony Dorsett, 402).

More importantly, he'll take the pressure off of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Baltimore's defense relies on its formidable pass rush. In the regular season, it finished first in the league in sacks (60) and is fifth in passing yards allowed (191 YPG).

However, the Chiefs could exploit the Ravens' 13th-ranked rushing defense (105.4). If Pacheco gets going, it will force Baltimore to respect the ground attack, giving Kansas City's passing game opportunities to make big plays.

The Chiefs are trying to become the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots in 2004. As of Sunday, FanDuel lists them as a 4.5-point underdog in a road game.

Still, it's hard to bet against the Chiefs in a big game, especially when their offense is starting to find its groove. Kansas City has averaged 26.5 points per game in the playoffs due in part to Pacheco's outstanding play.

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