KC Chiefs VS New York Jets: Rating the Match-Ups
Offensive Line
Kansas City’s offensive line didn’t even show up to Houston last week, and that should make this slide pretty easy. With both of their starting guards out for the day, the Chiefs struggled up front, and Alex Smith suffered the consequences – getting sacked four times on the day.
[The Jets] offensive line has only allowed Fitzpatrick to be sacked twice so far in two games… That needs to change if the Chiefs want a shot at winning this game.
Heading into the season, Pro Football Focus ranked the Chiefs as having a better o-line. They were listed as the 22nd best offensive line and the Jets were put near the bottom of the league at 26th.
The Jets’ o-line has played better than Kansas City’s though, and Connor Hughes of NJ.com backed up that sentiment.
"The combination of Ryan Clady (left tackle), James Carpenter (left guard), Nick Mangold (center), Brian Winters (right guard) and Ben Ijalana/Brent Qvale (rotating right tackles) has been much better than expected in the early portions of 2016. The group is keeping Fitzpatrick upright, while also opening rushing lanes for running back Matt Forte."
The Chiefs have struggled with their pass rush early on this season, and it’d be nice to see them get something going against New York. Their offensive line has only allowed Fitzpatrick to be sacked twice so far in two games… That needs to change if the Chiefs want a shot at winning this game.
In case you were wondering, Alex Smith has been sacked seven times. Eep.