NFL Week 1: Chiefs Lose If…
By Chris Clark
We’ve been talking about this all off season and now it’s time to see if it is really the issue we thought it could be. Without Justin Houston the Chiefs cannot put pressure on the QB consistently. If Ford continues to not step forward the Chiefs defense will have a very difficult time getting to Rivers. The one area that could help KC is the defensive line and if they can push the pocket it won’t allow Rivers to step up. That may give the pass rushers the extra second to second and a half they will need to get there.
If I’m San Diego I’m giving my right tackle help early with Dee Ford. Have the TE chip him or help double team him. Don’t let Ford get into the game as he did last year. Tamba Hali has missed the entire preseason and is on a snap count for the game. If Ford can’t provide the pressure Hali won’t be able to step in and do it himself. Expect Sutton to dial up some exotic blitzes early. He has to try to set a tempo for the defense. However, watch out if Rivers is able to escape the rush enough to get a deep ball to Benjamin.
When the defense takes the field they must find a way to create pressure. If the Chiefs give Rivers 3 to 4 seconds every snap he is going to pick the young CB’s apart. If Kansas City doesn’t find a way to make Rivers frustrated and hit him at least 5 or 6 times in the first 2 or 3 drives the Chiefs will lose.