Kareem Hunt didn’t hesitate to celebrate the “dirty work” he does at the Kansas City Chiefs and for Andy Reid. Even as the mood inside Patrick Mahomes’ locker room shifted after a narrow 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. Hunt’s words land sharply, in a moment when Kansas City feels both powerful and unsettled at the same time.

“That’s one of those things that you’ve got to get those dirty yards,” Kareem Hunt said on Defending the Kingdom. “I feel like I’m one of those guys who can find that little crease to make the most out of the play to keep our offense on the field. So, that’s what I take pride in doing.“

This is not the first time Hunt has leaned into that identity. A few years back, during one of the Chiefs’ most explosive offensive seasons, he famously had a similar word with Patrick Mahomes.

“You do all the cute stuff and I will handle the dirty work,” Hunt said to the star quarterback in 2018.

That year, he backed it up with bruising yards, broken tackles, and momentum-shifting plays that set the tone for Kansas City’s rise. In many ways, his recent comments echo the same mindset that made him indispensable in that early Mahomes era.

Hunt tallied 13 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos most recently, averaging 4.5 yards per run. He finds an opening and pushes even when the defense stacks the box. 

Squeezing out tough, short-yard gains has always been Kareem Hunt’s identity, and he takes pride in doing that dirty work. What makes his latest remarks notable is that he said them after a loss that pushed Kansas City to 5-5. Even in a tense locker room, he leans on the power-back role that has defined him for years.

Kansas Chiefs lock in for Colts after Denver loss

The Denver Broncos secured a win against the Chiefs and entered their Week 12 Bye week with a 98% playoff probability. As narrow as the defeat was in the final minutes for the Kansas City Chiefs, it didn’t break them. Instead, according to defensive tackle Mike Pennel, it was much needed.

“We got a sour taste in our mouth about Denver. I think no losses are never good in this league at all. But I know that everybody’s going to respond really well,” Mike Pennel said on the Chiefs’ Concerns. “Sometimes, you need something like this to respond to, a little bit of adversity, not everybody patting you on the back to turn it up. So, I’m excited for Sunday.”

Even after a frustrating failure in the last minutes that cost the win, the franchise is 9th on the bubble for the playoffs. Mahomes’ leadership maintains the team’s confidence for the week 12 fixture against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts bring a fast defense and a steady ground game, creating a tough matchup for Kansas City. They are 3rd in the Hunt for a playoff spot. If they secure a win against the Chiefs, the playoff probability for the Colts improves from 91% to 98%. 

The Chiefs know they must clean up mistakes and control the tempo. Despite their struggles, they are still favorites in the league, with many rooting for them in their playoff power rankings. But another slip could drop their playoff chances to 27%. A win, on the other hand, could change the odds from 43% to 54%. For the Chiefs now, a win against the Colts can shift the mood to optimistic and restore momentum in the playoff hunt.