KC Chiefs Vs New Orleans Saints: Rating the Match-Ups

Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) and center Max Unger (60) block Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) – Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) and center Max Unger (60) block Oakland Raiders defensive end Jihad Ward (95) – Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

While the KC Chiefs’ offensive line looked good last week in Oakland, don’t expect that to be a trend. They only allowed Alex Smith to be sacked once last week, but overall, he’s been sacked 14 times in just five games.

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Drew Brees has been sacked eight times, but his offensive line is a bit banged up at the moment. The left tackle position is a mess in New Orleans right now, as Terron Armstead has been injured.

Second-year man Andrus Peat has also been injured, and third stringer Tony Hillis has been atrocious at protecting Drew Brees’ blind spot.

Taking the left tackle out of it, the Saints otherwise have a pretty solid line. They traded Jimmy Graham for Max Unger years ago, and he’s continued to look good at center.

At the two guard spots, the Saints have veterans Jahri Evans and Zach Strief, who have both been nice stories in New Orleans this year. Evans was cut by Seattle over the summer and re-joined the Saints. He’s having a nice year back in the Big Easy.

Strief also struggled last year and almost allowed the Houston Texans to kill Drew Brees. Not even kidding. Look up the huge hits they had on him last year and you’ll find yourselves cringing.

Anyway, if Armstead is good to go (and he has been practicing this week), then the Saints have the better line. If not, then it’s a close call.

Advantage: New Orleans