Andy Reid undergoes unexpected offensive evolution with Chiefs

Historically Andy Reid has come under heavy criticism for his reluctance to run the football with regularity. After three major injuries to key offensive players (Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco), the offense had to be adjusted. This process began when the team reunited with its third-round pick (86th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. Kareem Hunt, who is home after a five-year stint with the Cleveland Browns, was brought in to help stabilize a running back room that was devastated by injuries (Isiah Pachec) and a non-football illness (Clyde Edwards-Helaire).

Since being elevated from the practice squad, Hunt has amassed 414 rushing yards on 111 carries. He averages 22 carries per contest and has scored in four of five starts. Open Monday Night FootballHunt admittedly got off to a slow start, finishing the first half with seven carries for 16 yards. When play restarted, the Buccaneers went on a 10-0 run and took control of the game with a seven-point lead.

The Chiefs punted on the first offensive series of the third quarter, but handed the keys to Hunt on the ensuing drive. Patrick Mahomes started the first half fast, but the Chiefs’ offensive line really struggled to keep him upright against intense pressure. Reid set up the ball and put it into Hunt’s hands on three consecutive running plays when the offense came back downfield. The eighth-year man made good on those throws with runs of 7, 9 and 4 yards to get the Chiefs closer to midfield. Kansas City would continue to score goals and make it 17 all game.

On Monday night, the offense featured recently acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Unsurprisingly, he helped unlock Kansas City’s passing game. Mahomes was 34/44 passing for 291 passes and 3 touchdowns. Hopkins was the team’s second-leading receiver with eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Kelce led the way with 14 catches for 100 yards. The Chiefs were excellent in third down situations, converting 12/18 in the game. This is partly due to their efficiency on early downs. Kansas City’s running game facilitated manageable third downs all night.

As the team approaches the midway point of the season, leaning into this new-look offensive identity will be key to increasing production. Mahomes had his best start of the season on Monday, and the offense will soon get reinforcements with the return of Pacheco (reportedly within the next two to three weeks) and the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster to the offense. Reid’s defiance of the norm in the Week 9 game helped the Chiefs remain flawless. If Kansas City can get past the Broncos on Sunday, they’ll have a huge conference matchup with the Buffalo Bills that will ultimately determine the AFC’s top seed.

The passing offense opens up with the addition of Hopkins, but consistency requires staying “in front of the sticks” with a methodical running game. This isn’t your father’s Chiefs fault. While it’s not the Legion of Zoom, it’s perhaps the most brutal unit in the league. If Reid can stay on this path, this offense will thrive again next month and become one of the most reliable and productive offenses in the NFL.

Like Monday night, the Kansas City offense, which converted 66% of its third downs and scored in every red zone, is a nightmare for the NFL. Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos will be a great litmus test. The Broncos rank in the top 10 in defending the run in terms of yardage, touchdowns and rushing yards per attempt. We’ll find out just how disciplined Andy Reid will be when league opponents honk their horns at Arrowhead Stadium at noon on Sunday.