Aug 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) is tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (24) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
On Friday night, the first-string offensive line held up and the offense clicked. The play-calling took advantage of some passes where Smith could get the ball out quick and the combination of Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, and Jamaal Charles took care of the rest. That is the formula for success this season when K.C. has the ball.
The defense is in even better shape than the offense. Despite the fact that they are missing Pro Bowl nose tackle Dontari Poe and top cornerback (Sean Smith) is running with the second team due to a pending suspension to start the season, the defense has been great.
The front seven looks strong with the return of Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito from injury. Add the emergence of Allen Bailey, Jaye Howard, and Mike Catapano on the defensive line, and the elite pass-rush provided by Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, and Dee Ford, and it’s special.
The secondary is as deep as any time I can remember in K.C. with Smith, rookie Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines, and Jamell Fleming all looking like solid options at corner and Eric Berry, Ron Parker, Husain Abdullah, and Tyvon Branch all looking like viable contributors at safety.
When you mix in Dave Toub, the best special teams coach on the planet you get a team that is ready to compete with any team in the AFC this season … if the offensive line holds up.
So what do the Chiefs need from the offensive line in order to succeed? Naturally, I’ve got a list….
Next: How the Chiefs can make the line work