Why the Kansas City Chiefs will win the AFC in 2017
By Austin Owen
No. 2. Chris Jones and (a healthy) Justin Houston
We all know how effective Justin Houston is when he’s healthy. He recorded 22 sacks in his last full season (2014) So, lets start with Chris Jones.
Chris Jones
Chris Jones has the ability to become the most disruptive defender in the NFL. Yes, you read that right. Chris Jones absolutely has the potential to be the leagues best defender not named J.J. Watt. Lets go to the film for proof.
KC@HOU wk2 DE Chris Jones aka Rich Seymour Jr putting on the moves like #93. Both 6'6 310, both aggressively quick for size @scottzolak pic.twitter.com/a4Vy4XWoDX
— Michael Catania-Mcdonough 🤙🏽 (@turf_surfer) July 21, 2017
If Chris Jones strength appears inhuman, that’s because it is. Jones absolutely victimizes the left tackle, throwing him into Osweiler and allowing Derrick Johnson to get in for the sack. I could show you film from nearly every game last year where Chris Jones is throwing offensive linemen around. While you will never see the above play on a stat sheet, it has a huge impact on the succes of this defense. By the way, Jones has a swim move:
Chris Jones is so good..... pic.twitter.com/6l4c6LG3WT
— JKuhn (@h8rproof82) November 13, 2016
That swim move is killer. Trai Turner, a Pro Bowl guard, did not have a chance with Chris Jones one-on-one. That is what makes this guy so dangerous, his combination of rare strength and speed, as well as some surprisingly well groomed pass rush moves. Makes him nearly impossible to block one-on-one. If he continues to improve his moves, such as his spin and hand fighting. Jones can be an absolutely dominating defensive end in this league.
Justin Houston
I really don’t know what else we can say about Justin Houston at this point. We know how dominating he can be when healthy, yet, many people seem to have written Houston off as not having much impact outside of the Denver game last year. Was that the case?
These are just a couple of pass rushes where Houston was extremely effective last season. Not to mention what an outstanding run defender he is. Now, I wonder what happens if Houston and Jones are lined up on the same side?
Oh…
And vs. Tennessee?
Well, that was fun. Offensive lines have virtually no chance at blocking Chris Jones and Justin Houston when they are lined up beside one another. If this duo can stay healthy for 16 games, there is no limit to what they can accomplish.
Our last subject is sure to cause debate.