Who Should I Start? Isiah Pacheco or Drake Maye

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, 2:50 PM

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder, illness) missed practice on Friday, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Maye was listed as limited in the first two practices of the week on Wednesday and Thursday due to a right-shoulder injury that he suffered in the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The 23-year-old was held out on Friday because of his illness, otherwise he would have practiced. Vrabel said on Thursday that the team isn't worried about Maye's status for the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8. The second-year QB out of North Carolina still has another full week to get his shoulder closer to 100%. Maye led the NFL with a 72% completion percentage during the regular season and was the QB3 in fantasy scoring, but he has struggled in his first three career playoff games, completing 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while fumbling six times (three lost).