Kansas City Chiefs: Run game hasn’t missed a beat

By Leigh Oleszczak | Jan 14, 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

When some drama surfaced in late November, it didn’t look good for the Kansas City Chiefs run game moving forward. Fortunately, Damien Williams has picked up where the previous run game had left off.

Losing a running back that led the league in rushing the season prior seemed like a bad omen for the Kansas City Chiefs in a year that could see them reach the Super Bowl. Spencer Ware was an able running back, but could he produce the numbers that he did in 2015 and 2016?

Well, Ware got injured not long after, and that forced third string running back Damien Williams to step in and get the job done. He’s done so beautifully and earned himself a two-year extension in the process.

While the Chiefs offense is an air raid (and why wouldn’t it be with Patrick Mahomes at the helm?), it’s important for teams to have a solid run game. The Chiefs have that, even with Williams leading the charge now.

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In the AFC Divisional Round, the run game executed perfectly. Williams had 25 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown while also catching five passes for 25 yards.

Williams was great on Saturday, but he wasn’t the only one making noise on the ground in the first playoff game. The run game as a whole totaled 180 yards off 33 carries.

Damien Williams obviously led the way, but Tyreek Hill rocked Arrowhead with a 36 yard carry that went for a touchdown. Rookie Darrel Williams had just three carries for nine yards, but one of them went for a touchdown (thanks to Mahomes and a few others pushing him into the end zone).

When the drama unfolded with Kareem Hunt in late November, it seemed bleak for the Chiefs as far as the run game went. When Ware got banged up, it got even bleaker. Who would have thought that Damien Williams would have been able to step in and keep the rushing attack afloat?

The Chiefs really haven’t missed a beat with Williams in that role. While Hunt was great at catching passes, the Chiefs have found other ways to be creative with their backs. If they can keep game planning for the two Williams and at some point if Ware gets healthy, we can continue to not worry about the run game and let them do their thing.

What allowed the run game to shine even brighter on Saturday was the defense stepping up big. Normally the Chiefs are forced to air it out a bit more due to having to put up constant points, but the defense played their best game of the season and that allowed the Chiefs to eat up clock while running the ball.

dark. Next. All-Time Chiefs Leaders in Rushing Touchdowns

It’s nice to see the run game not miss a beat and hopefully Damien Williams can keep those legs churning in the AFC Championship Game.

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