Doesn’t Wild Card weekend feel like it’s shaping up to be a fantastic day for this organization? We’re playing what is widely-considered the weakest of the six AFC playoff teams, the defense is dominating on a weekly basis, and Alex Smith is playing some awesome football! There’s absolutely no way we could lose against the Texans, right? Wellll, not so fast…
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You see, while the Kansas City Chiefs do have the advantage in many areas heading into tomorrow’s game, there’s one glaring matchup where we are severely outclassed: the offensive line vs. the Texans’ front-seven. Obviously there’s J.J., but the emergence of Whitney Mercilus, and Clowney looking more and more like the guy who was worthy of the pre-draft hype, spells all kinds of trouble for a banged-up Chiefs line. If there’s one battle that could stymie all hopes of ending our ludicrous playoff drought, it is, without a doubt, this one.
So that begs the question, is this offensive line ready to rise up to the occasion? Based on the tape from the Raiders game last week, there’s a case to be made for both, “nope, we’re doomed” and, “hope exists!” Yes, the Raiders only got one sack, and Khalil Mack was shutout, but there’s a reason Alex Smith finished the game with 61-yards rushing. Throughout the 35 minutes the Chiefs offense possessed the ball, Oakland – Mack in particular – continually collapsed the pocket and left Smith no alternative but to make plays with his legs.
The Case For, “We’re Doomed…”
The Raiders bring a blitz here, sending both a linebacker up the middle and a safety to Smith’s right. Spencer Ware does a great job of picking up the linebacker, while the the right side of the line holds up just fine. The problem here occurs with Jeff Allen on the left; Allen hesitates slightly when the ball is snapped which allows the defensive end to gain a step on him. While Fisher is able to provide some help due to an excellent Maclin chip, it comes too late and the Raider is baring down on Smith as soon as he finishes his drop.
This is the exact moment he finishes his drop. I mean, look at that! All the box score will tell you is Smith scrambles for a big first down on a third-and-eight. But that is in no way a situation you want to put your QB in on third down.
Here’s a potential game-clinching play and we have a similar occurrence, but this time, it’s both tackles getting walked back into the QB. The Raiders didn’t bring an exotic blitz or hit us with a stunt, they simply asked their rushers to beat the Chief that was in front of them. And that’s pretty much what both OLBs did. Stephenson and Fisher both fail to anchor themselves as they engage with their assignments, resulting in the walls crumbling around Smith very quickly.
The play was designed to go to Maclin (who lined up in the backfield) running a slant over the middle. But Maclin isn’t even out of his break the moment Smith is forced to take off (also, Maclin does get interfered with, but Smith is in full tuck-and-run mode at that point so I get the no call).
Those are the kind of plays that have me cringing at the thought of Watt, Clowney, and Mercilus coming after Smith tomorrow. But then the offensive line goes out and completely stonewalls the pass rush, giving me reason for optimism.
The Case For, “There’s Hope!”
For the past couple of seasons, the Chiefs offensive line hasn’t exactly been the model at executing blitz pickups, to say the least. But to be fair, running backs, tight ends, and even the quarterback have a part to play in that as well. So when the Raiders dialed up the blitz on this play, they must’ve figured they had a pretty good shot getting at hitting home.
Too bad for the Raiders that this group had other plans! The line does a solid job of picking up the blitz here, while Demetrius Harris keeps tabs on Mack at the top of the screen, and Ware gets juuust enough of the blitzing inside linebacker. That blocking gave the receivers enough time to work their way downfield, and Smith the time to hang in there while they do. Result of the play: first down, Chiefs.
With the Texans’ three aforementioned pass rushing threats, there’s no doubt the blitzes are going to come, so it was encouraging to see this line have some success in this area.
Another play that did a good job of calming my nerves about this line was on Smith’s strike to Demetrius Harris in the end zone. You know, the throw that nobody ever, like I mean ever, thought Smith would make. Check out how clean the pocket was for him:
If there’s one thing that’s been made abundantly clear during this win streak, it’s that this offense can make big plays when Smith is given time. You can bet Romeo is going to do everything he can to prevent the o-line from giving Smith too many pockets like that one, especially in the red zone.
Some believe that this Saturday’s game is almost a guaranteed win for the Chiefs, in large part due to what happened in Week 1. Don’t be fooled. This Texans team, particularly this defense, is a much different beast sixteen weeks later. Watt was able to wreak havoc single-handily the first time, and with the emergence of his two sidekicks, the performance of the Chiefs offensive line could very well be the deciding factor (quite the unsettling proposition, I know). But with smart play calling and a mobile Alex Smith, this line has shown us that there is reason to believe they are ready to step up to the challenge come Saturday.
Chiefs GIF of the Week
A 300-pound Jaye Howard doing his best Dwight Freeney impression? Gotta love it.
