Jamaal Charles: 8 YouTube Plays From the Kansas City Chiefs' Star Back

Jamaal Charles has erupted into one of the game's most elusive backs. And to top it off, today is his birthday.  The now 24-year-old stud is primed to lead the Kansas City Chiefs flying high into the playoffs. Along with veteran Thomas Jones, he's helped form the deadliest running duo in the NFL.

As solid as Charles and Jones have been together, Jones may be preventing the youngster from a 1,700-yard season.  Jones has also seen a workman's load of carries this season. Notably, he's taken goal-line carries away from Charles.  

Many said coming into this season that Charles would become a force, and he sure has. With Jones growing old quickly, Charles is expected to become the "true" feature back in 2011. 

This terrific duo has been a lot of the reason for the Chiefs' success this season. That success includes recently winning the AFC West crown. Also, they boast the best running attack in all of football, averaging 167.5 yards per game. 

Here are some of his best YouTube plays.   

Jamaal Charles Gashes The San Diego Defense

This was a stunning way to start the season for Charles and the Kansas City Chiefs. During his part of the two-back rotation, Charles broke off the left tackle in the Monday Night Football opener.

Charles appeared to be shot out of a cannon once he got past his blockers.  The key block from Dwayne Bowe really set up this fantastic run.

Charles is as deadly as they come with open-field space.

Jamaal Charles Outruns the Entire Nebraska Defense

Jamaal Charles' game-breaker speed was first on display at Texas. It was there where he first showed the football world just how good he was.

Charles bursts to the outside and is gone against the Cornhusker defense here. There was never a doubt on this sensational run.  

Charles' ability to work out of the shotgun draw and burn the blitz here was impressive.  

Wheel Play for the TD

Colt McCoy and Jamaal Charles perfectly execute this "Wheel Route" and burn the Iowa Hawkeyes for a score.  

Charles was just far too fast for Iowa's linebackers on that play and delivered on a beautifully thrown ball by McCoy. Texas went on to win the 2006 Alamo Bowl by a score of 26-24.  

The sensational sophomore made this play happen from wire-to-wire.  The coverage bit on the play fake and he was able to bide McCoy enough time to make the throw. 

Charles Busts Past the Bills' Defense Out of the Shotgun

Jamaal Charles makes the "big play" against the Buffalo Bills' defense. This 76-yard TD run was one of Charles' many highlights throughout this 2010 season.  

Out of shotgun again, Charles takes the draw all the way in for the score.  

Charles has been a major reason why the Chiefs are a remarkable 7-0 at home this season. While at home, Charles has averaged 102.6 rushing yards per game.  

Charles Plays D

After an AJ Hawk interception, Jamaal Charles was taken out of the play, and yet he recovered to make a TD-saving tackle. Watch Charles hunt down AJ Hawk and keep the game tied at 10 here.  

Charles was nearly out of the TV screen, but came all the way back across field for the huge hit. Hawk's usually the one laying out running backs. That was reversed here though.  

What a hustle play from Charles to get back.  

Jamaal Charles Takes the Opening Kick Back for a Touchdown

Impressively enough against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Charles boasts his return skills. This 97-yard TD return was remarkable.  

Charles was able to keep his feet moving the entire time and stormed past the Steelers for the score.  

Even after he looked to be stopped at around his own 30-yard line, Charles continued to make the play happen.  

Charles Goes For 259!

Jamaal Charles arrived in the final game of the 2009 season. In a date with divisional rival Denver, Charles went for 259 yards rushing and two scores.  This play was the most memorable one of the day for Charles and the Chiefs. 

Jamaal Charles Makes It Look Easy Against North Texas

Charles was having too much fun during his days with the Longhorns. This short TD scamper looked pretty easy on TV.  He just took the traditional running route by following his blockers all the way to the end-zone.

For the Chiefs, Charles has some striking similarities with Larry Johnson.  Hopefully for his sake, he won't burn out and fizzle the same way that Johnson did.  

This raw Texas product is a more complete runner though and will enjoy a lot of success at the NFL level.   

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates by jumping into the crowd after scoring a touchdown that was eventually called back during the game against the Denver Broncos on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium

Here you go everyone.  I really hope you enjoyed this piece on this fantastic young running back.