The Kansas City Chiefs will enter this Sunday with a 1-0 record following last Thursday’s epic 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Kansas City leaned heavily on two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes, with the passer nearly eclipsing 300 passing yards in the win. Conversely, starting running back Isiah Pacheco struggled to find running room, scampering for 45 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Pacheco averaged just three yards per carry, his lowest average in a game with at least 15 carries since he broke into the NFL in 2022. Not only did Pacheco struggle to find running room, but he will now need to pay up after the NFL fined him on Saturday.
Last season, the NFL made it apparent they would crack down on rushers leading with their helmet. On Saturday, the league and Roger Goodell fined Pacheco for unnecessary roughness, resulting in leading with his helmet during a run in the third quarter.
NFL Hands Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco Fine
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network:
The NFL fined #Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco $5,582 for unnecessary roughness on this play in last week’s kickoff game. The league continues to crack down on lowering the head to initiate contact. No flag was thrown.
Facing a first-and-ten from the Baltimore Ravens 18-yard line early in the third quarter, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco received an inside handoff on a counter play. Pacheco found an open hole, climbing to the third level before plunging into Baltimore safety Marcus Williams. Pacheco initiated contact, doing his best to run through Williams before falling forward for a nine-yard gain. However, the refs threw a flag on Kansas City for offensive holding, negating the substantial gain.
Although Pacheco did not get flagged for unnecessary roughness in real-time, the league has gone back and decided to fine the Rutgers product $5,582 for leading with his helmet. The NFL also fined the Kansas City Chiefs $100,000 for a sideline scuffle in last Thursday’s season-opening win.
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