The biggest matchup of Super Bowl LIX might play out between a pair of lesser-known Chiefs and Eagles players
The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles matchup in Super Bowl LIX won't lack for star power, but the most important matchup of the game might play out between a pair of lesser-known players. The Chiefs' offensive line issues have not posed a problem so far in the postseason, but there is concern that they could […]
The Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles matchup in Super Bowl LIX won't lack for star power, but the most important matchup of the game might play out between a pair of lesser-known players.
The Chiefs' offensive line issues have not posed a problem so far in the postseason, but there is concern that they could come to a head in Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles. Moving All-Pro LG Joe Thuney to left tackle and former undrafted free agent Mike Caliendo to left guard was a stabilizing choice for Kansas City down the stretch of the regular season. Sticking with the combination during the postseason was one of the gutsiest personnel choices of Andy Reid's tenure as head coach, but it has paid off with the performances needed for a Super Bowl berth.
Ahead of the matchup, Chiefs HC Andy Reid suggested that he would not be inclined to move Joe Thuney back to left guard and slide D.J. Humphries in at left tackle.
"It’ll probably be the same," Reid told reporters on Thursday. "Again, we’ll rotate them (Joe Thuney and D.J. Humphries) all in there (during practice), but I think (it’ll) probably end up being the same when it’s all said and done.”
There's always the chance that he's playing cards close to the vest, but there's also no reason to believe that he would make a chance right now. Especially when Joe Thuney is coming off an AFC title game against the Bills, where he allowed no pressures at left tackle.
Mike Caliendo vs. Milton Williams could be the matchup that decides Super Bowl LIX
It's understandable why the choice to leave Thuney as the left tackle is causing some unease in Chiefs Kingdom. Despite all of the current starters on the O-Line playing what was perhaps their best game together as a unit, there were moments in the AFC Championship Game when Caliendo was the clear weak link. It was so apparent that the broadcast even made jokes at Caliendo's expense.
"He just tossed him aside; I wasn't sure if that was Mike Caliendo or Frank Caliendo trying to hold Phillips," Jim Nantz told Tony Romo on the CBS broadcast after Phillips bench-pressed Caliendo.
Heading into Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, Caliendo's life won't get any easier for Caliendo. Many have thought that Eagles DT Jalen Carter, a game-wrecking former first-round draft pick out of Georgia, might regularly face Caliendo. However, Unless Philadelphia dramatically shifts its personnel, it'll actually be Eagles DT Milton Williams, a former 2021 third-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, who will see Caliendo most frequently.
According to Pro Football Focus, 437 of Williams' defensive snaps this season have come at the defensive right tackle position, meaning he'll align over the left guard on most of his snaps. You might be inclined to think, "Well, that's good news. He's the better matchup for Caliendo."
That assertion might not be true. Williams is one of the most underrated interior pass-rushers in the game. This season and postseason, he has generated 50 total pressures, including six sacks.
The interior defensive line has generated a lot of pressure in Philadelphia this season. Carter and Williams combined for 123 total pressures and 13 sacks (regular and postseason), which is over 32% of the team's total pressures and 24% of the team's total sacks. Conversely, in 212 pass-blocking snaps, Caliendo has allowed 13 pressures, including one sack of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs' interior offensive line has historically been a strength during their back-to-back Super Bowl titles, but with Thuney tasked with playing tackle, they're not quite the dominant unit they once were. Andy Reid and Matt Nagy can do some things schematically to lessen the effectiveness of the interior rush with bootlegs, play-action, and moving the pocket. Ultimately, how Caliendo responds to the challenge could be the difference between Mahomes being under siege and having enough time to get the ball out quickly. The team believes that No. 66 is built for the challenge.
“Not much things will rattle him (Mike Caliendo)," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said of Caliendo ahead of the AFC title game. "He’s a smart kid and kind of gets in and does his job. (You) saw what (Washington Commanders G Nick) Allegretti did last year (after) stepping in and I think he just handles it. If he’s going, then he’s going.”
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