RM Andy Reid Stepped Away From His Usual Identity — and It Led to the Chiefs’ Biggest Win of the Year

The Kansas City Chiefs pulled out a gritty, hard-fought victory over one of the AFC’s toughest opponents, the Indianapolis Colts. It wasn’t pretty, but it was exactly the type of win Kansas City had been searching for — a close game where they finally came out on top instead of letting it slip away late.

And the surprising formula behind it? A heavy dose of Kareem Hunt.

Kansas City leaned on the run game far more than usual, handing the ball off 36 times to their running backs. That number alone is enough to make you wonder if Andy Reid — famously pass-happy — had temporarily stepped aside. What makes it even more shocking is that the Chiefs committed to the run despite trailing for nearly the entire game, aside from the decisive score. It’s the complete opposite of what Reid’s offenses are known for.

After the win, Reid explained the uncharacteristic approach.

“I thought the line was controlling things pretty good, which was important,” Reid told reporters. “We were getting positive yards on first down, which was good. We ran a little bit on second down, likewise. Coach Andy Heck puts all of that together… he did a great job schematically with it, and the guys executed.”

Kareem Hunt Delivered When Kansas City Needed Him Most

Sunday marked Hunt’s best performance since returning to Kansas City for his second stint. He no longer resembles the explosive, dual-threat back from his early days — and that’s by design. One of Hunt’s greatest strengths is his ability to evolve his playing style to stay relevant in a league that increasingly devalues running backs.

Now, instead of relying on speed and pass-catching ability, Hunt has transformed into a power runner who thrives in short-yardage situations. He consistently pushed through tight lanes and took on contact, becoming the physical presence KC desperately needed.

Hunt carried the ball 30 times — a massive workload for a 30-year-old back — and topped 100 rushing yards with a touchdown. On his score, he soared over the pile in a way that evoked memories of Chiefs legends like Priest Holmes and Marcus Allen.

By leaning on the run, the Chiefs controlled the tempo, forced the Colts’ defense to stay on the field, and bought their own defense valuable rest. It wasn’t the type of game plan Andy Reid typically prefers, but it was the one that secured the win.

And Reid can thank Kareem Hunt for making it possible.