How KC Chiefs can succeed even with Patrick Mahomes’ injury

Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie Have To Play Well

Patrick Mahomes has been an absolute magician at times at avoiding pass rushers and extending plays. It’s part of what has made him so special again this season. However, a big part of why that was necessary is because the offensive tackles have struggled in pass protection at times this season. That can’t be the case on Sunday. While KC should absolutely have a plan that gets the ball out quickly, they still need to give Mahomes time to make his reads and get the ball out without fear of taking a hit that makes his injury even worse.

Orlando Brown Jr. wants to be paid like an elite tackle. Well, this week his star quarterback needs him to prove his worth. He isn’t going to be able to escape Brown’s mistakes so he can’t make many. He has to take this as a challenge and go out there and win his matchup. If he doesn’t the Chiefs’ Super Bowl dreams likely come to an end and so will his dreams of being one of the highest-paid tackles in the NFL.

Andrew Wylie isn’t looking for a life-changing contract this offseason, but he is trying to prove he can be a starter in this league and not just a replacement-level depth piece. While nobody should expect Wylie to go out and dominate, what the Chiefs need from him is to just not be bad. If he can just keep his head above water and give Mahomes about 3 seconds per snap that can be enough if Reid has a good short passing attack called up.

The bottom line here is that the tackles can’t have a rough game. Patrick Mahomes needs them to give him enough time to not be limping for his life from the moment he takes the snap. If the tackles give him time and Andy calls up a good game plan (including a Pacheco-led run game) and the pass catchers play well including another great performance by Travis Kelce then the offense can absolutely do enough to put the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you agree that these are the keys to a successful offense with a hobbled Mahomes? Is there anything you disagree with? Is there anything you feel like I left off the list? Are you at all confident that the Chiefs can do all these things on Sunday? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.