Who Should I Start? Kareem Hunt or Isiah Pacheco

Monday, January 27, 3:12 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco toted the rock five times for 12 yards and hauled in both of his targets for 12 more in his team's 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills. Pacheco and backfield mate Kareem Hunt split time pretty evenly for the first four weeks of the former's return from early season fibula surgery. However, Pacheco injured his ribs in Week 17's victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has since produced ten carries and 30 yards on 35 snaps over two playoff games, while Hunt has vastly out-snapped and out-produced him as the team's lead back. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, this appears to be his role, as he's fully recovered from the rib injury he sustained near the season's end. We'll see if that changes in Kansas City's Super Bowl meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he'll be impossible to trust until his volume or production significantly increases.

Saturday, January 25, 4:25 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been a shell of his former self since returning from injury. Even when given the opportunity to start last week's contest, Pacheco remained inefficient and ceded work to veteran Kareem Hunt. The 25-year-old handled five carries for 18 yards against the Texans, compared to eight carries, 44 yards, and a touchdown for Hunt. Given the importance of the matchup and Pacheco's struggles, the Chiefs likely lean on Hunt as their workhorse back in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Kansas City will face the potent Buffalo Bills in Arrowhead to determine who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. With the Chiefs searching for a historic three-peat, the stakes are too high to rely on Pacheco. The second-year back should not be viewed as a start-worthy asset in fantasy playoff leagues and should be considered a dart-throw option in DFS leagues.