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Isiah Pacheco could be the most important player on Championship Sunday, per one NFL analyst
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Isiah Pacheco stormed onto the NFL scene as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs this season. Now, the former Rutgers star has a chance to help lead his team into the Super Bowl with an AFC Championship Game appearance.
According to NFL writer Peter Schrager, Pacheco could also prove to be the most important player of Championship Sunday for what he brings to the Kansas City offense. Schrager believes Pacheco’s ability to run between the tackles and pick up tough yardage is the missing piece the Chiefs lacked in the second half last season.
“Can we talk about Pop Pacheco? Because I think he might be the most important player this weekend,” said Schrager in a Good Morning Football segment. “This guy right here had an outstanding rookie season. The pride of Rutgers, 7th round pick, 251st selection. He’s coming onto the field and he might be the hammer the Chiefs didn’t have last year against the Bengals in the second half.”
“Brock Purdy’s story is amazing. But what if I told you there’s a RB who was the 251st pick and the 17th RB taken in last year’s Draft who may end up playing the biggest role in the AFC Championship Game?” @Pschrags on why @chiefs RB @isiah_pachecoRB is his man to watch Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Z9z2KksXvs
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 27, 2023
Pacheco was phenomenal as a rookie, leading the Chiefs with 830 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. He also eclipsed 900 scrimmage yards for the season, finishing second on the team behind star tight end Travis Kelce.
We’ll see if Pacheco can come up with a key performance or game-changing moment on Sunday.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.