Chiefs’ rookie regulars ready for playoff debuts against Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham, right, scrambles away from Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. – Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have been in this situation before, ready to embark on a postseason run that the past four years has landed the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game and twice ended in the Super Bowl.Turns out they're not.

“I mean, it starts with the organization and the coaches. They’ve set a culture here," explained Mahomes, who at 27 years old is suddenly among the elder statesmen of the franchise. Defensive end Frank Clark likewise took Karlaftis under his wing in training camp, showing the first-round pick the nuances of the game. Karlaftis had six sacks, trailing only Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston for tops among rookies.

The fact that they were pressed into service so often means that, at least as far as Reid is concerned, they're no longer rookies at all as they prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday in the divisional round of the playoffs. “I just went in yesterday again and spoke to the group and just let them know, ‘Hey, you’re at a point in the season that you’re not rookies any longer,’” added Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt.

Despite not starting the first six games, Pacheco has run for 830 yards and five touchdowns, averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. That's the fifth-best yardage total among rookies and his TD total is tied for second among first-year players.

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