Polarizing Chiefs player shut down Raiders superstar defender during Kansas City's Week 8 win over Las Vegas
Since signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, right tackle Jawaan Taylor has been one of the most polarizing players among fans on the roster. The biggest reason for that is his problem with penalties, particularly false starts. Taylor led the NFL in penalties accepted last year with 17, which included eight false starts. […]
Since signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, right tackle Jawaan Taylor has been one of the most polarizing players among fans on the roster.
The biggest reason for that is his problem with penalties, particularly false starts. Taylor led the NFL in penalties accepted last year with 17, which included eight false starts. This season he has seven penalties accepted so far with five of them being false starts.
Taylor is known for his notorious quick first step as the ball is being snapped, which often appears to be too early. It's tough for officials to evaluate it in real time, making it almost random whether or not he gets flagged for a false start. However, when he's not committing penalties, Taylor has been a solid blocker.
During Kansas City's 27-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, Taylor had perhaps the best game of his six-year NFL career. In 28 matchups against All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby, Taylor did not allow a single quarterback pressure.
The Chiefs' offensive line as a whole held Crosby in check as he did not record a single pressure, which hasn't happened since the 2022 season (H/T Jessie Newell of the Kansas City Star).
Crosby has been a thorn in quarterback Patrick Mahomes' side for years, but thanks in large part to Taylor that wasn't the case on Sunday. With the struggles the Chiefs are having at left tackle, Taylor elevating his performance is crucial. He also did not commit a penalty during the game.
Taylor played four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being drafted by them in 2019. K.C. signed him to a four-year, $80 million contract in 2023 with the possibility of him switching to left tackle. That hasn't come to fruition, but it's something to keep in mind as Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia have struggled mightily to lock down the left side.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reaches another significant career milestone during win over Raiders
Another record for the future legend.
