Chiefs can double down on last week's success by taking advantage of Saints' biggest weakness in Week 5
The Kansas City Chiefs can double down on last week's success against a banged-up New Orleans Saints offensive line on "Monday Night Football" in Week 5. The Saints have dealt with several injuries on the offensive line this season, but their depth has allowed them to stay competitive. The Chiefs have a chance to change all […]
The Kansas City Chiefs can double down on last week's success against a banged-up New Orleans Saints offensive line on "Monday Night Football" in Week 5.
The Saints have dealt with several injuries on the offensive line this season, but their depth has allowed them to stay competitive. The Chiefs have a chance to change all of that on Monday night.
The Saints have ruled out C Shane Lemieux (Ankle) and RG Cesar Ruiz (Knee) ahead of the Week 5 contest. Lemieux is starting in place of injured C Erik McCoy, who is out for 6-8 weeks. Ruiz is one of the best run-blocking offensive guards in the league this season, ranking 12th with a 71.8 grade according to PFF. Typically, Ruiz would be the player tabbed to replace Lemieux. This week, recently-signed Connor McGovern is expected to get run at center.
The Saints' starting offensive line from left to right should be as follows: Taliese Fuaga, Lucas Patrick, Connor McGovern, Landon Young, and Trevor Penning.
The left side of the line is one to watch as Fuaga is dealing with back and knee injuries and Patrick is dealing with a groin injury. The two primary backups available for the game are Nick Saldiveri and Oli Udoh.
Kansas City already has some experience going up against an injury-weakened offensive line. . .
Chiefs must take advantage of injuries on the Saints' O-Line
In Week 5, the Chiefs faced a Chargers offensive line that was completely jumbled due to injuries. As a result, they made Justin Herbert's life a living hell, pressuring him on over 50% of his dropbacks according to TruMedia.
They should be able to replicate that experience this week for Saints QB Derek Carr, and it all starts with Chiefs DT Chris Jones. As Bill Belichick recently explained to Peyton Manning, Jones has become a mercenary for Kansas City. They line him up on the weakest link on clear passing downs to get advantageous matchups and win pass-rushing situations.
"I can tell you from experience," Belichick said. "Chris Jones, in passing situations, has a strong tendency to line up on the worst lineman. Whoever the worst offensive lineman is, that's where Steve (Spagnuolo) likes to put him. It could be on the outside, it could be on the inside, it could be on the center. But whoever the weakest guy is, in his opinion, that's where he'll put Chris Jones a good amount of the time. You've got to know where this guy is. He's a game-wrecker."
It's not just about Jones, though. This is an opportunity for everyone on the Chiefs' defensive line. Jones will receive a ton of focus in the Saints' game-planning, which means he'll often see double teams. He defeats those easier than he does single blocks at times, but the attention means everyone else on the defensive line will have opportunities to win their one-on-one matchups.
Players like George Karlaftis, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Danna, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah could have a chance to really turn up the heat on Carr. Kansas City knows all too well what getting pressure on Carr will do for their chances to win the game. After all, Carr has a 3-14 record against the Chiefs during his NFL career.
The Arrowhead advantage could prove important in this game
If the Saints start McGovern, who they signed to their roster this week, the crowd at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium could change the outcome of the game. It's hard enough playing in front of the loudest fans in the loudest stadium in the world when you have an offensive line that has gelled and played a lot of games together. The noise will cause them to go to the silent count. It requires a ton of chemistry to properly execute.
The reality of the situation for New Orleans is bleak. The Saints will trot out their third starting O-Line combination in as many weeks. They're down to their fourth option at center and their second option at right guard. No matter how you dice it, that's a tough task for an offensive line group, and adding in the noise factor should make them prone to false starts and snapping errors.
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