Kansas City Chiefs: Dee Ford Must Step Up Vs Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs second year linebacker could have increased role this Sunday, and must make it count.

The KC Chiefs (6-5) drafted linebacker Dee Ford thirteen picks ahead of Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in the 2014 NFL Draft. The two will meet in lovely O.co Coliseum in Oakland this Sunday in a Week 13 matchup of AFC West rivals.

With All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston likely out with a hyperextended knee, Ford is in line for an uptick in snaps for a Chiefs defense that’s seventh in the NFL in points allowed. (KCChiefs.com)

Ford will get his shot Sunday, and he must make an impact. He’s never started a game in the NFL.

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Coach Andy Reid hasn’t ruled Houston out this week, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Star, but let’s assume the Chiefs don’t run their $101 million man out there on a banged up knee. Houston didn’t practice yesterday.

That means Dee Ford is in. And that means Oakland is going to find out exactly what Dee Ford can do. They’ll run at him, throw at him, screen to his side, and do everything they can attempting to make the young linebacker’s head spin.

Oakland can run offense, too (they just can’t defend). The Raiders average 24 points per game, good for 11th in the NFL, and they’re eighth in the league with 2,934 net passing yards.

Ford has missed the last two games with a back injury, so as long as he’s fully healthy, he should have fresh legs and a full game in him. If the Chiefs defense is going to be elite this season, they need Ford – so the timing could work in the Chiefs’ favor.

Ford was drafted out of Auburn, one pick after Johnny Manziel, and he’s touted as a pass-rush linebacker with potential to play all three downs. NFL.com‘s Nolan Nawrocki had this to say about Ford’s abilities before he was drafted:

"“Very good acceleration and burst to beat blockers off the ball. Anticipates the snap very well and has a long second step. Plays with urgency and keeps working to the quarterback.”"

He’s exceptionally quick off the ball for a guy his size.

As far as Chiefs fans are concerned, though, they’ve heard all of that. They’ve seen the college film, they’ve watched the ESPN Sports Science segment, they’ve read all about Ford’s stellar career as an SEC player. Now Chiefs fans want to see it in action.

Ford is 6′ 2″ but he’s smaller in stature than Houston. He’s played in nine games this season and has eight total tackles. In his rookie season last year, Ford posted 1.5 sacks and played in all 16 games.

It seems the time is just right for Dee Ford to make his impact for the Chiefs defense. He’s put his time in behind two of the best outside linebackers in the game, and now the path to playing time appears to be clear.

Next: KC Chiefs Ranked Top 10 In NFL Power Rankings

It’s a different game for the Chiefs if they’re playing without Justin Houston. How do you think Dee Ford will hold up against the Raiders this Sunday?

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