Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals: 5 Things To Watch For In Week 14
By Brett Gering
3. Strong Performance From Dontari Poe
Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) congratulates defensive end Allen Bailey (97) after Bailey
As a whole, Arizona’s front five is superior to Kansas City’s. However, a case can be made that the interior is worse.
Per ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, an injured Paul Fanaika will be replaced by last year’s No. 7 overall pick, Jonathan Cooper, and starting left guard Ted Larsen will swing to the right side.
With Fanaika out, Jonathan Cooper gets first-career start. He'll be at LG and Ted Larsen will be at RG.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) December 5, 2014
Rebounding from a rookie season was derailed by a broken fibula, Cooper has lined up for only 50 snaps this season. Larsen, meanwhile, struggles in pass protection and doubles as one of the most penalty-prone linemen in the nfl, drawing the third-most flags among guards thus far.
The difference between the two units lies at center. PFF ranks Rodney Hudson No. 5 overall, while Arizona’s Lyle Sendlein is slotted at No. 66 of 67. No center has allowed more quarterback hits than Sendlein’s eight.