Pacheco missed week 14 with a shoulder contusion, and will miss another game this week. Andy Reid told reporters on Friday that Pacheco underwent shoulder surgery and “we’ll probably anticipate getting him back next week”.

It was almost a 50/50 split backfield in week 14 when Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon faced the Bills. It was a game script that benefited McKinnon, and he was the more productive out of the two, scoring a touchdown. This week, the Chiefs face another formidable run defense in the New England Patriots, giving up a stingy 88.2 yards per game on the ground. Both McKinnon and CEH are considered desperate flex plays at best with CEH earning a small edge, with the more likelihood of game script benefiting him.