Chiefs-Steelers: Jamaal Charles Plays Huge Impact in 27-24 Win

Jamaal Charles is starting to turn heads. The former Texas track star-turned-halfback for the Kansas City Chiefs has scored three touchdowns over the last two games.

Coming into the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the Chiefs knew they were facing the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL. But Jamaal Charles knew he would have to bring his "A" game if the Chiefs had a chance to win.

On the opening kickoff Charles took the return a couple yards in front of his goal line and used his elite speed and patience to follow his blockers, make some cuts, and explode through a hole and take it 55 yards untouched for the opening score.

Since the departure of fellow running back and malcontent, Larry Johnson, the Chiefs running game and running back play overall has risen drasticly. Johnson who averaged just a measly 2.9 YPC with the Chiefs this season has found a new home in Cincinnati while Charles has managed to put up an above average 4.9 YPC during four starts this season.

Charles has not only been productive in the ground game, but has also been a big factor in the Chiefs passing game hauling in 23 receptions and being targeted nearly 30 times without a drop.

During the fourth quarter of the Chiefs' comeback win, coach Todd Haley called a play inside the five yard line that was only three days old.

Early Thursday during practice, Haley went up to QB Matt Cassel and announced that he was adding a new play to the playbook, a simple shovel pass that Pittsburgh has had a difficult time covering all season.

Calling this play on the two yard line not only showed the confidence Haley has in Charles to secure the ball, but also tied the game up 24-24 to force an overtime.

Charles is officially a big part of the Chiefs offense.

Coach Todd Haley has said plenty of times that he was not completely comfortable with Jamaal receiving a full running back workload, and that it has taken him a while, but Charles is now "starting to get it."

It wasn't about whether or not he had the talent, it was whether or not he could win the game for the Chiefs and not lose it.

This goes back to Charles and his fumblitis over the last year and his college career. He had six fumbles his senior year at Texas and has not found a for-sure cure to his fumbling issues. Goods news though, Jamaal has not fumbled since his muffed opening kick return against the New York Giants in Week Five.

In a game which nobody gave the Chiefs a chance to win, a few bright stars emerged including Charles. Receiver pickups Chris Chambers, Bobby Wade, and Lance Long all played important parts in the 27-24 win against the defending superbowl champions.

Chambers ran a slant route, caught the high pass and streaked downfield for the 61-yard game clinching play that was finished off by a field goal from rookie kicker Ryan Succop.

Charles not only has speed but also has the ability to stay on his feet, maintain balance and fight through defenders on each play, as evident by his 10-yard overtime toss play in which he was jammed hard about six yards from the first down marker, then bounced off, spun around, and headed upfield to pick up the needed yardage.

If not for the opening kick being brought back by Charles to go ahead seven points, the Chiefs offense would have taken the field having scored less than 20 points in the first quarter all year. There's a good chance the Chiefs would have been forced to punt or mishandle the football for a turnover against the league's best first quarter defense.

If the Kansas City Chiefs have learned anything from this week's win, it should be that getting Charles involved in the game, along with good play calling, gives them a chance to win games.

Receiver Dwayne Bowe was obviously not needed as Chris Chambers took his place very well. But over these last two games Charles has touched the ball a personal best 48 times.

The Chiefs are 2-0 because of Charles and the guys off the street.