The Chiefs’ offensive line is Detroit’s biggest challenge yet, but there’s a big weakness Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions can exploit
Time to get this team frazzled so they make mistakes
The Detroit Lions’ defensive line has had a good season. I know that goes against everything many Lions fans thought was possible without trading for a Pro Bowl edge rusher, but it’s happening.
The Lions’ defense is second in DVOA, second in sacks, and third in pressures. But make no mistake, this Kansas City Chiefs group is the best group they’ve faced this season.
The big weakness the Lions can exploit in the Chiefs’ offensive line
To learn a little more about the Chiefs’ offensive line, we talked with one of our Chiefs writers, Nick Roesch, and he told us how well it’s been playing, and in the midst of that, he gave away the big problem in Kansas City.
“The Chiefs’ offensive line has steadily gelled throughout the first five weeks of the season, and has performed particularly well in each of the last two games. Part of that can be attributed to the gauntlet of defensive lines it has already faced. Kansas City’s front five will be put to the test again against a Lions’ defense that ranks second in the NFL in sacks and seventh against the run. The Chiefs can always count on center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith, who are among the best at their respective positions. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor has been good when not committing penalties, but unfortunately, he leads the league with seven.
If star Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson gets in Taylor’s head, Taylor could rack up some flags. Over on the left side of Kansas City’s offensive line are the young but uber-talented left tackle Josh Simmons and left guard Kingsley Suamataia. Simmons is a more polished pass protector, and Suamataia is a better run blocker. However, Suamataia has really stepped up over the past couple of weeks in pass blocking. Each has given up just one sack on the season, and the Chiefs’ offensive line as a whole has surrendered just one sack over the past two games. The confidence is catching up with the talent, and I believe K.C.’s offensive line will hold up well against Detroit’s front seven as long as it cleans up the penalties.” – Nick Roesch, A to Z Sports Kansas City.
There it is, right there. The weakness is that this line gets called a lot for penalties. The team itself is tied for third with 42 penalties this year. Seventeen of those calls go against the offensive line itself: nine holding calls, five false starts, and three illegal formations.
We’ve already talked about Jawaan Taylor this week, but he’s the weak point. Four of those holding calls are on him, as are two of the false starts and two of the illegal formations.
Like Roesch said, Taylor will be the guy who needs to go up against Hutchinson. Aidan needs to bring the pressure immediately and make Taylor try to compensate with holds and false starts. Back this offense up as much as you can, and you’ll keep them off the board. So far, that’s worked for the three teams that have beaten them. The Chiefs have either committed more penalties or bigger penalties in all their losses. Get them frazzled. That’s the game plan.
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