If you thought that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was under constant siege during Week 2, you’re right. The Chiefs’ offensive line struggled to protect Mahomes from a ruthless Los Angeles Chargers pass rush that features talents like Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Jerry Tillery and Uchenna Nwosu. Struggled actually might be an understatement when you consider the facts.
After a solid performance, allowing just eight pressures in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Kansas City allowed over four times as many pressures in Week 2. Their current total in pressures on the season is 42, which good for the fifth-most in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. They land just behind the Texans, New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos, who are all 0-2 on the season.
Most pressures allowed through W2:
1. Texans – 57
2. Giants – 56
3. Bengals – 52
4. Broncos – 46
5. Chiefs – 42 pic.twitter.com/r8exlMxqSe— PFF (@PFF) September 21, 2020
Andy Reid spoke a bit about the challenge that his offensive line faced in Week 2 following the game.
“They’ve got a great defensive front, I mean that’s what they have,” Reid said of the Chargers. “The one thing our guys did is they kept battling right down to the end and when we needed big plays, we were able to get big plays. We were able to protect and allow Patrick (Mahomes) to pop out and run. Those were also big things there. I just thought the guys reached down and battled.”
The silver lining is that this team is 2-0 on the season. Against the Chargers, they managed to block well on the plays that counted the most and helped the team win the game. However, the type of pressure that Mahomes faced on Sunday is unsustainable. With another great defense coming up with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, the veteran leaders on the offensive line will have to dig deep and help get this unit back on the right track.
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