The Kansas City Chiefs still haven’t played their best football
By Grant Tuttle
Offensive lines woes
The Chiefs offensive line hasn’t been healthy for most of the season. With injuries throughout the line, the offensive front has had very little time to build chemistry. The line has been a rotating door that has only been a full unit for the last three games.
This has resulted in very poor run blocking, particularly in the middle of the field with interior linemen. This is also in part to a lack of talent at running back, but the offensive line has gotten very little push in the middle of the field. The line struggles with their initial assignment and cannot get up-field to the second level.
Most debilitating of all, the offensive line has not given Mahomes nearly the amount of time that he needs to throw the ball downfield. Mahomes has taken shots on blitzes all season long because of the lack of communication on stunts and twists.
Frank Clark’s health
Frank Clark was added to the team this offseason to replace the production of both Dee Ford and Justin Houston. While Clark has done extremely well in limited time, I don’t believe we have seen just how dominant he can be. Clark has sustained injury and this last week, fallen ill to terrible stomach flu, reportedly making him lose 12 pounds.
Despite a shoulder injury, a pinched nerve and illness, Clark has performed admirably and has seen a steady incline of productivity. Last week, Clark had a sack and several pressures against Tom Brady’s best lineman: Isaiah Wynn. Clark has seen an upward trajectory and I think it would be foolish not to expect big things from him down the stretch.