3 Chiefs Who Need More Playing Time to Avoid Crippling Loss to Dolphins in Week 9

The Chiefs officially arrived in Germany and now get set to take on the Dolphins with a chance to get a leg up on the closest competition in the AFC Standings.

Kansas City suffered an embarrassing defeat to Denver in Week 8 but there is a clear path towards beating Miami with the right game plan.

There are a few players that must get more playing time for the Chiefs to avoid a crippling loss. With certain guys falling short of expectations, we can no longer afford to be patient.

Let's look at three Chiefs who need more snaps in Week 9 vs. the Dolphins.

3 Chiefs Who Need More Playing Time to Avoid Crippling Loss to Dolphins

1. Isiah Pacheco - RB

Pacheco played 54% of the snaps against Denver, right around his average, but he had only ONE second-half carry in a game the Chiefs' passing attack couldn't muster any advantage.

He finished with just eight carries despite earning five yards per tote. Against an offense that can put up points in a hurry like Miami's, the Chiefs need to lean on Pacheco more to control possession and take pressure off Patrick Mahomes.

The Dolphins are middling against the run but have a ferocious pass rush, averaging the fifth-most sacks per game in the NFL (3.4). With a secondary that just added star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the fold, I want to keep Mahomes out of harm's way as much as possible.

Pacheco has been spectacular this season, gashing defenses on the ground and through the air, evolving his game to become a dependable pass-catcher.

Jerick McKinnon is banged up and Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn't travel to Germany at all, so Kansas City is thin in the backfield. That means Pacheco needs to be heavily utilized.

In Miami's two losses this season, the Eagles ran the ball 29 times and the Bills ran it 34 times. The Chiefs ran the ball only 16 times against Denver and we need to see that number increase to walk away with a victory.

Pacheco isn't the only offensive player I want to see on the field more though, as you'll find out on the next page.

2. Rashee Rice - WR

I am once again clamoring for more snaps for the Chiefs' rising star. Rice has seen his snap count steadily rise, highlighted by last week's season-high 61%, but it's still not enough.

Rice and Justin Watson have been the only two wide receivers to produce at a consistent level, with the rookie second-rounder hauling in 30 catches for 361 yards and 3 TDs. He's had at least 56 receiving yards in three straight games, but I want the Chiefs to unleash him in Germany.

The Dolphins play zone coverage over 73% of the time, per Pro Football Focus, which suits Rice's game well.

330 of his 361 yards have come against zone coverage and Miami ranks in the bottom 10 in the NFL in yards allowed per zone coverage snap (7.53) and yards allowed per zone coverage target (9.2), giving Rice a path to success.

We'll see how Ramsey's return changes the Dolphins' defense, but for now we've got to find ways to feed Rice the ball even more than we already have.

While I want to see this young player involved more, there's also a young defensive player whose increased playing time would benefit the Chiefs. Find out who that is on the next page.

3. Bryan Cook - S

The 2022 second-round pick curiously played only 56% of the snaps against the Broncos after clearing 80% in each of the previous two games.

Mike Edwards saw his playing time increase as a result, but I'd like to see those snaps come at Justin Reid's expense instead. Reid has been disappointing this season and suffered an injury in the Denver game, so I'd rather see the Chiefs develop Cook to prepare for future seasons.

We've seen Cook make game-changing plays like his interception against the Chargers in Week 6 and he profiles well defending the run, a critical skill when facing Miami and one that Reid routinely struggles with.

Cook has a higher Pro Football Focus grade than Reid this season and his physicality would provide a boost to the defense in a tough matchup.

Especially considering the ridiculous speed on the Dolphins' offense and league-best rushing attack, I want Cook on the field as much as possible.

Let Reid rest up going into the bye and let's see what Cook can do in a game suited for his skillset.

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