It's not a matter of how much we run the ball, it's the way we run it.
We never were a run oriented offense and it would be silly to try to be one with Mahomes, Hill, Kelce & Co.
What we need are running backs who will keep defenses from being overly aggressive on the pass rush with a lot of blitzes, which is what killed our offense the last two games, and what makes our O-line look so sloppy. Most O-lines would look sloppy against such an overwhelming pass rush.
However, no defense could simply afford to play like that if we still had a running back who requires 2-3 man to be brought down - as we had last year.
It's not a matter of how "good" are the backs we have, and the yards per carry.
Anyone can see none of them can compare to Kareem Hunt in production, still it's not a matter of how much they produce but HOW they produce it.
We need backs who will make defenses think twice before blitzing or leaving open areas in the middle range, which happens to be where most of K-Hunt production originated by breaking tackles, either on carries or short passes.
The non existent running game, and the lack of running backs to fit our offensive strategy, is going to cost us the superbowl - and I hope is not going to cost us our quarterback...
Mahomes is not playing with the same ease of mind as last year, and it's not only the matter of the sore ankle. He knows there's basically a half of the defense - or more - going for his head and that doesn't help much.
The impact of loosing K-Hunt was underestimated by most, except perhaps by Andy, which is the reason why he doesn't trust the backs he currently has, and the possibility of ramming the ball down the D's throat forcing them to adjust/change strategy, which is basically the core of the problem our offense is facing.
Like it or not, our Superbowl expectations are turning into a transitional year, and not only for the defense.
But the media love us now, so we really shouldn't mind.
Maybe we should have released Tyreek as well, so they'd love us even more, after all who really cares for a Superbowl.
[Reply]
Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88:
People are also having selective memories with Kareem Hunt.
2017 season when the Chiefs lost 5 of 6 games, Andy was giving Hunt less than 10 carries in multiple games during that stretch.
And that was with Alex Smith at QB.
Andy loves to pass, regardless of the talent at RB.
OR the lack of talent at QB. Mahomes has brought out the worst of Reid's pass happy tendencies.
[Reply]
Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88:
The Giants won the Super Bowl in 2011 with the 32nd ranked rushing offense.
This is true, but to be fair they were a lot like the 2006 Colts. You wouldn't have considered them a running and defense team but they turned it on in the playoffs.
They were dead last in running and had a 25th ranked defense, but the playoffs came and they were a lot better at both. They averaged 116 rushing yards a game and their defense only allowed 14 ppg in the playoffs, and they faced some real tough opponents, including the Patriots and that 15-1 Rodgers team.
[Reply]