It has been a very strong two games in the NFL playoffs for Isiah Pacheco. The former Rutgers football running back has been an impact play for the Chiefs and will be counted on this Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.
Pacheco had 97 yards rushing and a touchdown last weekend in Kansas City’s 27-24 win at the Buffalo Bills. It was Pacheco who iced the game for the Chiefs with his final two carries of the ball.
Following the Bills’ missed field goal, the Chiefs took over on their own 34-yard line and with 1:43 remaining in the game. One first down would be enough to get them to the end of the game.
They ran Pacheco twice – both times to the right side of their line – to get 11 yards and a first down as well as booking their ticket to the AFC Championship Game.
It was a moment that was tailor-made for Pacheco with his hard-running style.
“Just knowing that situation is extremely important, you only get those situations in practice and when you rep it and rep it and rep it, when it comes in a game, and it happens it’s like second nature,” Pacheco told reporters on Wednesday.
“For us to just understand the scheme, understand when you did that in practice before – that’s the mindset of me getting a first down and having the o-line finish on that play.”
During the regular season, Pacheco had 905 rushing yards and seven touchdowns for the Chiefs, this despite battling injuries in the second half of the season.
[lawrence-related id=34572,34566]
#Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco on the divisional round win over the #Bills: “That week’s over. It’s time to get to work.”
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) January 24, 2024
The last two carries of the game typified Pacheco’s running style that made him a fan favorite at Rutgers. Described as “angry running” it is clear that Pacheco is purposeful and driven every time he touches the ball.
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That came out on Sunday, against the Bills, where Pacheco embraced the opportunity to finish off the game for the Chiefs.
“It’s a big enjoyment, you won the game right there, it’s all said and done,” Pacheco said
“You don’t have to send the defense back out there to get a punt or just have them back out there. It eliminates that part of the game and is a big win for us.”