Could the Chiefs' offensive and defensive lines play so poorly that it costs KC a chance at a championship? Could they really be so bad at old-school football and "winning in the trenches" that it spoils a season that should end in a Super Bowl appearance? Or is it all just overblown hyperbole from the spoiled citizens of Chiefs Kingdom?
Little column A, little column B.
Witnessing our Chiefs lose the way they did to the Indianapolis Colts last week shocked me. We've never seen any team stifle the strengths of a Mahomes Era Chiefs team enough to win in such a low-scoring manner. Today, KC faces even tougher competition when rising star Deshaun Watson brings a top-ten rushing offense and an elite defense to Arrowhead. When I see it all on paper, the Houston Texans scare me far more than that Colts team did.
A future Hall of Famer in J.J. Watt leads the talent-packed defense. A two-time All Pro in Deandre Hopkins provides nightmare fuel for sub-par secondaries every single season. The Texans also re-tooled their previously awful offensive line with draft picks and a huge trade for left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Frank Clark is the Chief Tunsil is expected to contain this week, and Clark already underwhelmed enough to be consistently called out by local and national football media, alike. Those players and matchups will be important for KC, but none of them will matter if the Chiefs' banged-up offensive and defensive lines continue to falter.
Quenton Nelson and Anthony Castonzo don't play positions that garner much attention, but their overwhelming success on the left side of Indy's offensive line won the Colts the game last week. However, I could also say the Colts' defensive line made the difference by consistently pressuring Patrick Mahomes. Throughout the game, Mahomes tried unsuccessfully to get his game going behind an injury-riddled O-line that often looked lost.
The Chiefs coaching staff undoubtedly preached the philosophy of winning one-on-one matchups at the line of scrimmage all week long in practice. Whether or not this philosophy turns into production on the field may decide the winner of today's game. Without Chris Jones, KC's defense needs to limit a capable running offense and make Watson uncomfortable. Without Eric Fisher or Andrew Wylie, KC's offensive line needs to protect Patrick enough to keep him healthy and simply give the magician enough time to make some magic. That could be a lot to ask when facing off against a legit playoff contender like the Texans.
Doug LaCerte writes about KC sports and still neglects his Twitter and Facebook.
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