While Pacheco was the benefactor of some tremendous blocking and a running back-friendly scheme in his rookie season, he deserves credit for multiple chunk plays. While Pachco’s effort was rewarded, it’s important for us to focus on what this play shows us: Pacheco is a willing blocker who wants to help his team in any way he can. His block prevents the edge rusher from working his way upfield - opening up the big Mahomes scramble that put the Chiefs in field-goal range to win the game. While this rep wasn’t one-on-one protection, Pacheco helps out left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.

The protection allows Mahomes to let the middle of the field open up and he takes off to create one of the game's iconic plays. He lays out to prevent any opportunity the edge has to get into the backfield. Pacheco sold out on the Mahomes scramble in the Super Bowl. McKinnon is likely to reprise that role in 2023 - but having two backs with both abilities could prove valuable to Kansas City.Įarly on in the 2022 season, Pacheco had some chances to do some pass blocking - with mixed results. Last season, Jerick McKinnon turned solid his solid pass-protection skills into a career year as a receiver, collecting nine touchdowns and 512 receiving yards. While the correlation between these might not be obvious, the Chiefs need to keep defenses honest their running backs must be able to pass-block just as well as they can catch passes. Pacheco’s low volume of receptions during his rookie season was largely due to his inexperience - but also from his early issues in pass protection. As Bengals defenders swarm, the running back stays on his feet, fighting through arm tackles to pick up a crucial first down.īecoming more involved in the passing game will give Pacheco even more opportunities to let his physical style help create additional explosive plays.

On his bad ankle, Mahomes concedes the downfield routes, dumping it off to Pacheco. We see here that after giving body presence to his tackle, Pacheco leaks out of the backfield.

Fights off a couple tackles in space and finishes the play with a first down. Gives some presence to the edge before leaking out. One reason I hope Pacheco can gain a larger role as a pass catcher is he has the capability of making plays like this.

Kc chiefs touchdown pass