Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Cameron Ward

Sunday, January 4, 3:12 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (rest) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pacheco had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity this past week. His reduced workload in practice was not injury-related, as the Chiefs allowed him to rest because they had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Kareem Hunt is active on Sunday afternoon and should operate as the primary running back in this Chris Oladokun-led offense. We also wouldn't be surprised to see rookie Brashard Smith earn more snaps if Kansas City wants to evaluate his role and viability for the 2026 campaign.

Friday, January 30, 12:52 PM

The Tennessee Titans are hoping that new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll will help young quarterback Cam Ward, who struggled in his first year in the NFL after the Titans took him first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. During Daboll's time in New England under Bill Belichick, he learned the Erhardt-Perkins system, which employs a concept-based passing scheme and runs to set up the pass. ESPN's Turron Davenport points out that Daboll has also used play-action, with vertical passing concepts, which match Ward's skill set. Ward had plenty of success using run-pass-option plays in college, and the Giants used RPOs at a 12.6% rate last year under Daboll, the fourth-highest rate in the league. The 23-year-old plans to clean up his mechanics after throwing for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his first 17 games. Ward must fix his accuracy issues to take the next step, but he should be in good hands with Daboll.