Through seven games, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has accumulated 1,002 yards from scrimmage. As a rookie, he is on pace to accumulate 2,290 yards through the regular season.
Hunt already has set several rookie records, and even one of his game jerseys is already displayed at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Hunt, however, will be looking to join a short and elite list in tonight’s game. If Hunt gains 98 yards from scrimmage, he will be only the fourth rookie running back to gain 1,100 yards from scrimmage, an honor shared by Adrian Peterson, Eric Dickerson and Billy Sims.
Can the Broncos slow Hunt and prevent history? It’s hard to guess.
Despite having the league’s leading defense, the Broncos’ front seven has suffered a couple of setbacks due to injuries. Starting linebacker Todd Davis has all but been ruled out with a high ankle sprain, and defensive end Derek Wolfe is listed as questionable going into the game with injuries to his hand and foot. Wolfe did not practice Thursday or Friday, and was limited Saturday.
Linebacker Corey Nelson was placed on IR with a bicep tear sustained in practice before the Week Seven matchup against the Chargers, and have not had the services of defensive linemen Jared Crick or Billy Winn all season.
As a result, the Broncos have had to sign practice squad linebacker Kevin Snyder. Snyder is a second-year player and has spent time with the Broncos both on practice squad in 2016 and during the 2017 training camp. He will be helping fill the hole at insider linebacker along with backups Zaire Anderson and Jerrol Garcia-Williams. If Wolfe can’t go, it will be up to backup Zach Kerr.
On the bright side, linebacker Shane Ray has been activated and will be available to play in tonight’s game. Ray brings some much-needed depth to the linebacking corps and will most likely line up opposite Von Miller, who can combine to help stop Hunt as well as get to quarterback Alex Smith.
Hunt has yet to be stopped, but he has been slowed. The Pittsburgh Steelers held Hunt to just 21 yards of rushing in week six, yet gave up 89 yards to him in the passing game. Hunt also hasn’t scored a touchdown in four games -– a streak the Broncos could hope to continue, as they have not given up a rushing touchdown yet this season.
The Broncos will look to be the first team to hold Hunt under 100 scrimmage yards all season. “Ground Control” and the “No-Fly Zone” will need a combined effort to stop Hunt, but if there was a defense up to the task, it would be this one. The Broncos are first in the league in passing yards against and rushing yards against going into tonight’s game. They also only give up 19.7 points per game.
Of course, the best way to take the ball out of Hunt’s hands is for the Broncos to score early and often, a feat the Broncos’ offense has had issues with in the past few games.
The Broncos look to stop Hunt and the Chiefs tonight on Monday Night Football in Kansas City.
