Hardrunning Rookie Kareem Hunt Stars Again in Chiefsã¢â‚¬â„¢ Win Over Eagles

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

And a rookie shall lead the way.

The Kansas City Chiefs improved to ii-0 Sunday with a 27-xx over the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead Stadium. Commencement-year running back Kareem Hunt served as the focal point of the Chiefs criminal offence for a second straight week with 109 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns.

Chase's presence in the lineup changes the Chiefs' approach and makes Kansas City the NFL's squad to beat early on in the 2017 campaign.

Coming off of Week 1'south impressive 42-27 victory over the New England Patriots, the Chiefs owned the league's best law-breaking subsequently amassing 537 yards. Andy Reid'due south squad didn't accrue equally much confronting the Eagles yet nonetheless managed 344 yards.

The Chiefs haven't featured a top-10 offense since 2005, when Kansas Urban center finished with the league's elevation-ranked unit of measurement. Running dorsum Larry Johnson led the mode with 1,750 rushing yards.

Hunt could provide a similar presence in the backfield to elevate the play of those effectually him and strike fear in the Chiefs' opponents.

Not too long ago, many viewed the running back position as existence devalued. The number of 1,000-yard rushers decreased. A short stretch existed when none were selected in the draft's first round. Instead, teams trended toward stables featuring backs with varying skills.

Last season proved an elite rookie runner can serve as the goad for a successful season. The Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott led the league with 1,631 rushing yards during a 13-iii entrada.

Hunt's skill set is unlike than both Johnson and Elliott's, simply this makes him even more than dangerous.

The 5'11", 208-pound back wasn't even supposed to be in the starting lineup. A preseason genu injury to incumbent Spencer Ware pushed the 2017 third-round pick into the part, and he has flourished.

The Toledo product posted a 4.62-second xl-yard dash at this year'south NFL combine. His supposed lack of long speed became a reason why he wasn't counted among the draft class' top running back prospects. He's had no problems running abroad from NFL defenders, though.

Hunt flew by the Eagles defense with a 53-yard touchdown scamper, courtesy of the Chiefs Twitter account:

Kansas City Chiefs @ Chiefs

Big 24-hour interval for Kareem Hunt: First game at Arrowhead ✅ Showtime touchdown at Arrowhead ✅ https://t.co/UV3xvrzj5D

Maybe the rookie's run came via adept blocking from his offensive linemen and poor angles from the defense force. His ability to hit a proverbial home run out of the backfield isn't a fluke.

Kansas Metropolis's new lead back provided a 78-thou touchdown reception confronting the Patriots and became only the 3rd player in NFL history with a touchdown of at to the lowest degree 50 yards from scrimmage in each of his first ii NFL games, per Elias Sports Bureau (h/t ESPN Stats & Info):

"Information technology's but virtually being able to make plays," the rookie said, per Matt McMullen of Kansas Urban center'south site. "You lot have to have reward of those situations and not be defenseless from backside or anything. I'thousand a guy that likes to finish off runs."

The fact Chase serves as a major threat in both the run and pass games makes him a rare talent. This is what separates a great dorsum from well-nigh.

Few backs are so physically dominant a lack of presence in the passing game tin can be overlooked. Instead, the ability to contribute on third downwardly is often a sticking point with rookies. Poor hands or an inability to recognize the right protection schemes have held back an untold number of first-year runners.

In two games, Hunt has already snagged eight passes for 126 yards and a pair of scores. His five touchdowns in such a pocket-size sample size are the 2nd-most in NFL history, per Elias Sports Bureau (h/t ESPN Stats & Info):

ESPN Stats & Info @ ESPNStatsInfo

Kareem Chase has 5 scrimmage TD in his 1st 2 career games, T-2nd-most in NFL history. Only Dutch Sternaman in 1920 had more (@EliasSports). https://t.co/xd98Yparqd

A back must exist able to make a defender miss because schemes can't business relationship for every tackler. Chase's elusiveness and toughness are where he truly shines. He may not exist the biggest, fastest or most skilled back, even so his body command is outstanding.

Hunt forced eight missed tackles during his debut, per Pro Football Focus. He performed simply as well during Week two. According to PFF, 62 of Hunt's 81 rushing yards came after contact. He can leave defenders grasping for air or truck them. The situation dictates the rookie's approach.

Pro Football game Focus @ PFF

Kareem Hunt has quickly become i of the toughest running backs in the NFL to bring downward https://t.co/e4MncLdHOT

Right at present, Chase is the NFL'southward best running back. The Arizona Cardinals' David Johnson is hurt. The Pittsburgh Steelers' Le'Veon Bell is still rounding into grade later missing all of the preseason considering of a contract dispute. The Dallas Cowboys' Elliott is in a legal entanglement with the league.

Hunt, meanwhile, continues to provide big plays and rack up yards from scrimmage for a team with the two most impressive victories to open the 2017 campaign. He's only the tip of the spear, though.

The Kansas City Chiefs' Kareem Chase rests easy every bit the NFL's all-time running back through two weeks of play. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Chiefs feature plenty of offensive talent.

Quarterback Alex Smith is off to the best start of his career, with a 77.eight completion percentage, 619 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. In fact, the Eagles snapped Hill's NFL record of five straight games with a touchdown of 65 yards or longer.

Travis Kelce is in contest with the New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski as the game's best tight cease. Kelce led the Chiefs with eight receptions for 103 yards against Philadelphia.

Kansas City's crime is dynamic as long equally its line stays good for you—which is a business organisation since center Mitch Morse suffered a foot sprain Sunday, per BJ Kissel of the squad's website.

Unless opponents tin can stop or simply slow Chase, Kansas City knows information technology is the all-time the NFL has to offer.

"Stop sleeping on me," the running back said, per McMullen. "That's what I desire to let everybody know."

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @brentsobleski.

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Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2733705-kareem-hunt-chiefs-officially-put-nfl-on-notice

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