David Bell

AFC West v K.C. Chiefs Head-to-Head: The Offensive Line – Part II

David Bell April 8, 2018 No Comments

 

 

 

 

P-R-E-L-I-M-I-N-A-R-Y-S

In Part I of taking inventory of the K.C. Chiefs Offensive Line, we took a look at the Chiefs players and related  strengths and weaknesses, and determined that the Front Five had 4 of 5 solid players. We also concluded that the weak link was Bryan Witzmann who was not the planned starter but when Parker Ehinger could not go Witzmann was pressed into service and by the end of the season though grading out below average, was at least holding his own.

 

We are examining Chiefs in a series of articles prior to the draft, which begins the 26th, and Part II takes a close look at the two games vs the Chargers.  Part III (on Tuesday morning) we will take a look at the offensive line and it’s head-to-head match-ups against AFC West Foes, the Raiders and Broncos. To establish the basics for the preview, games from 2017 will be used as well as individual game performances in 2017.

 

 

 

 

Before examining the detailed view of things, I want to take a look at the “Macro-level” offensive line performance. The season’s beginning bade the offensive line welcome and it’s performance in September was solid. The worst game was one of the Chargers games in which it gave up 3 1/2 sacks but it was not to the Chiefs left side of the offensive line (where Witzmann was the LG). Things deteriorated in October when Morse and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (LDT), both missed two games after being injured October 8th which saw the Chiefs winning over the Texicans 42-34 but losing to the Raiders 30-31 on October 19th, missing 2 offensive linemen and losing their only AFC West Contest.

 

Fortunately, the Chiefs then had 10 days to heal up after the Raider’s loss, and won the next game against the Broncos handily. It was through the beginning of the 4 game losing streak during which Mitch Morse was lost for the season essentially (a concussion, and he re-injured his foot), and this was where Zach Fulton came into play. There is no question that Fulton plays better at Center but the blocking scheme of Andy’s Reid’s offense is no blessing when you have a newcomer at LG and Zach Fulton to his right. By the time the skid ended, Matt Nagy and Andy Heck came up with a simplified blocking plan — it had Fulton only blocking one position to his left or right or blocking straight up, which resolved much of the problem with blocking up the middle. This was implemented during the last game of the slide versus the Jets, for heaven’s sake, and the Chiefs offensive line played solidly the rest of the way which saw them go on a four game winning streak.

 

 

 

 

The win string does not mean they played any more than perhaps a bit above average but they did not suffer in their success in scoring or moving the sticks — scoring no less than 26 points. Of course, the last game of the season with the Broncos should be left out of the equation since most of the starters did not play, only Fulton and Schwartz did.

 

No matter what, no matter how much we use the eye-test to evaluate performances, the offensive line was playing the season at about the NFL Average. However, there is one thing about the offensive line and the team in general and that is penalization. The Chiefs were horrible and the offensive line, game after game, would have multiple infractions before the snap — meaning that all of these penalties should have been avoided.

 

EXAMINING THE GAME BY GAME DETAILS OF

THE CHIEFS VERSUS AFC WEST OPPONENTS

Taking a Look at Chiefs V Chargers

The basics of the games versus the Chargers: the first game is the worst game of the month of September for the offense in regard to pass protection, but all categories for the Chiefs offensive front five was rated solid performance by PFF. The injury downside of this game was on the defensive side of the ball when Dee Ford was knocked out of the game. DAT was as well, but no player on the offensive line suffered a reported injury.

 

September 24th, 2017 – Chiefs win at Chargers, 24-10

The Chargers use a 43 defensive base. The Chiefs front five match up very well against the Chargers players:

 

 

 

 

Left Defensive End Joey Bosa is the most problematic player across their front 4. Mitch Schwartz will be matched against Bosa and at this point, you are likely to see Schwartz to get his wins against Bosa. But Bosa will pressure the QB a given number of times. His opposite, Melvin Ingram is also an experienced pass rusher. This is a case where Patrick Mahomes will not be blind to what is happening on passing downs with the pass rush. Depending on RB awareness, a RB held in for picking off any potential break through should be no problem but keep in mind his primary work must focus first level attention to the Quarterback’s blind side. Joey Bosa is good but the KC right side with LDT and Schwartz should be able to manage keeping the Chargers left side under control. It was Melvin Ingram in the first game who raised hell from the Defensive right.

 

 

 

 

Run Blocking against the right side will also be well defined. When penetration occurs, look for the use of plays with trap blocking. In the first game against the Chargers, Kareem Hunt exploded for 172 yards rushing. The Chiefs front 5 were intact with Mitch Morse at Center while LG Witzmann was the weak point of the front 5. The Chiefs move blocking was very effective and blocks to get Hunt to the second level blocks was very effective. Indeed, Witzmann was effective when blocking for the run. He has the feet to block downfield and in 2018 we should see him improve, if the starter, be able to work on the weak points and have a lot more knowledge of the playbook. At this point, you should think back to the players who would compete for the starting Left Guard role. It’s Witzmann’s job to lose.

 

Run Blocking in the second game v. the Chargers  saw Mitch Morse on the I/R and Zach Fulton filling in as the substitute. At the same time though, Matt Nagy and Andy Heck had simplified the blocking scheme and this benefited Fulton the most. The front 5 contributed to the rushing game which saw Hunt gain 155 yards on the ground.

 

If there is a counter to an aerial game and a comeback, such as Philip Rivers is capable of mounting, it is having a ground game that keeps him off the field which is true in the case of both games.

 

 

 

 

Overall, the Chiefs matched up well versus the Chargers in both games of 2017. Their front 7 is static — it will be the same as below unless they have a release, signing or a draft pick who will replace someone on the front 6. If the Chiefs offense has improved and the Chargers defensive front has not drastically improved (which thus far it has not) the ability of the Chiefs run game should be successful enough to prevent the Chargers offense from going aerial by keeping Rivers at bay and keeping him off the field… since the Chiefs offensive front five is essentially going to be the same as 2017.

 

Another factor will be that Corey Liuget has a suspension which will keep him out of being with the team when opening day arrives. The NFL announced Los Angeles Chargers DT Corey Liuget has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2018 regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Liuget is eligible to participate in all off-season and preseason practices and games.

 

Below is a view of the Chargers Defensive Front. The Front 7 remains static at this point as all of them return in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 
September 24, 2017 – Chiefs win at Chargers, 24 to 10

The First analysis is that the primary stat, win or loss is a plus. The scoring did not reach the 28 PPG level but the offense turned in a strong performance. The Chiefs won the time of possession with 30.5 minutes of possession to 29.5 for the Chargers. The yardage total was about equal, Chiefs 311 Chargers 330. Phil Rivers went aerial a lot but had 3 interceptions, which stopped 3 key drives. They just could not recover. During the game the Chiefs had 10 possessions that averaged 6.1 per play to the Chargers who had 11 possession and a 4.9 average yards per play.

 

 

 

The Chiefs had 16 first downs and the Chargers 24. This is a discrepancy that has occurred for the Chiefs for the past two seasons… bend don’t break — but also, due to the three intercepts and trailing by 26 points going into the 3rd quarter, the Chargers were playing catch-up each possession.

 

One key problem that is obvious and is a problem which existed in almost every game: 13 Penalties, 122 Yards. This caused a problem in most of the drives. They converted points in the Red Zone only 1 of 3 times. This is also a problem that plagued the offense all season long.

 

 

 

 

The next obvious problem was protection of Alex Smith. As Ingram had 3 sacks and Bosa 1/2 sack.

 

The  first quarter of the game was really how the Chiefs won the  game. Rivers was intercepted on the third play of the first possession… KC scored a TD on their first of the game and then Smith threw for his second TD due to a Terrance Mitchell interception. These two scores occurred in the first 10 minutes and ultimately were the difference in the game. 

 

From the outset, the Chargers were trying to play catch-up but entered the 4th quarter with no points on the board,  which made all other factors on the Charger side, but three first half Rivers’ interception ruined their attempt to get back in the game, rendering their 10- 4th quarter points a moot point.

 

 

https://twitter.com/NOTdirtysports/status/912094462561546240

 

 

The Chargers moved the ball in the air but failed to maintain drives and get into the Red Zone and convert until the 4th Quarter. Justin Houston sacked Rivers stopping a drive in the 4th quarter and with 1:49 left, Kareem Hunt scampered for the games final score, putting the icing on the cake. Overall the Chargers remained win-less since coming to LA and the Chiefs improved to 4-0.

 

What I think is exposed in this game were two major factors that existed game in and game out, and a 3rd, lesser problem that existed all along. 

  1.  Bend but don’t break defense
  2.  Penalties which plagued the offense
  3.  Pass Blocking

 

The reason for the first was due to missing pieces: NT and CB and the result of the 2nd is the offense fouls was rally foul — it stopped drives in their tracks for the Chiefs. The 3rd case, pass protection for Alex Smith was a problem off and on but this was the worst game with 3 1/2 sacks of Smith.

 

 

 

 

Key Statistics and Determiners

  • 1. Passing –    Alex Smith          155 Yds      2 TD,  0 INTs
  • 2. Rushing –    Kareem Hunt      172 Yds      1 TD, 0 Fumbles
  • 3. Receiving – Tyreek Hill             77 Yds      1 TD

 

 

December 16, 2017 – Chargers at Chiefs,

Chiefs win 30-13

The Chiefs had a 6 game low performance skid including 5 losses. By this game, Matt Nagy simplified the blocking scheme and with change the Chiefs emerged from their losing streak and emerged taking the final 5 games in a row, and with the win over the Chargers, took control of the division and became eventual Division Champions for 2017. This game saw a bit more high powered offense and the defense held the Chargers, and Phil Rivers especially under 14 points. After the Chiefs scored twice and took a 10-0 lead the Chargers mounted a comeback, and briefly took a 13-10 lead in the 3rd Quarter.  They would not score again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the point in the game when the Chargers took the lead, the Chiefs offense finally took off. Part of that was the strength of the run game, while the aerial game supported moving the chains. Hunt scored twice and Harrison Butker added two FGs to secure the game while the defense played well enough to prevent the Chargers from getting into scoring position.

 

 

 

The Chiefs secured their 8th win and set things up to drive toward a division title the next week vs the Dolphins. The Chargers who had gone 0-4 to begin the season then went on a streak of their own winning 7 of 9 games, to be able to contend for the division title themselves (or at least a possible playoff spot).  

 

 

 

 

In this game, Alex Smith was sacked only once, a significant difference showing that the blocking by the Chiefs front five was improved, probably because the blocking responsibility shift implemented by Nagy aided the blocking of Zach Fulton which in turn helped the Guards blocking to be more efficient. That is my only explanation of how the last 6 games showed improvement in run blocking and pass blocking… which is why you cannot really understand stats such as from PFF because it doesn’t take into account a change such as occurred.

 

Key Statistics and Determiners

  • 1. Passing-  Alex Smith –             231 Yds    2 TD, 0 INT
  • 2. Rushing-  Kareem Hunt –         155 Yds     1 TD, 0 Fumbles
  • 3. Receiving- Tyreek Hill                88 Yds     1 TD

 

 

 

 

Part III follows on Tuesday morning — it provides details from the two Raiders contests and one Bronco’s game. The last Broncos game of the season did not play starters so it is not included in how the Offensive Line performed during the regular season of 2017. Final conclusions and thoughts are included in that section of the outlook.

 

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

 

 

 

 

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