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The Kansas City Chiefs are on a strong winning streak heading into the postseason with a great chance at officially clinching the conference’s top overall seed. As the offense continues to click, there are still some concerns regarding the offensive line.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has had to deal with injuries along the line all season with various fill-in players. The team was faced with a tough opponent this past Sunday in the New Orleans Saints, who sports one of the top front four defensive lines in the league. During the postgame press conference, Reid expressed support for the Chiefs’ big men who gave up three sacks to the Saints in the victory.
“We scored points against a good defensive front. You are talking about one of the best defensive fronts, if not the best statistically,” said Reid. “I thought we ran the ball efficiently, especially in the second half. We threw the ball well, with the exception of a couple of blitzes that they had. They got us at the end, but we were clean for the most part.”
The Chiefs had a familiar face inserted into the starting lineup on Sunday, with Stefen Wisniewski getting his first start since 2019. Andrew Wylie played his first professional game at tackle with Wisniewski inserted into the lineup.
“Yeah, you know what I thought that – I think they did a pretty nice job for the most part,” Reid said. “I talked to both of them after the game, and they’ll tell you there’s a couple they’d like to have back yeah, absolutely. But I mean, asking them to do what they did and Wiz (Stefen Wisniewski) is coming off an injury so it’s really his first time in pads when you think about it, I mean since game one or week one and for him to step in and do a respectable job I thought was good, and then (Andrew) Wylie, too. I mean, that’s not easy when you’re out on that edge. That’s a little different deal out there so, but I thought he handled it well. Like I said, there are couple of snaps they’d like to have back, but I think overall they did a pretty good job and when they had to bear down that fourth quarter that they did that so worked out ok.”
Starting LT Eric Fisher missed the first two practices of the week with a back injury for Kansas City. Even though he started in Week 15, he had his troubles throughout the game. Reid commented on a brief exchange that occured between his starting offensive tackle and Mahomes following a sack.
“Yeah, so Fish, he missed a couple practices this week, so he kind of pushed himself through with his back,” said Reid. “And you know his hamstring tightened up. He had these things happen during the game. He didn’t say anything; he kind of just rolls with it, and then after the game, you find this out. So, I think those things were affecting him a little bit. He had a couple good pass rushers on him, and they got him a couple times, and so you know Pat – listen, he lets you know, his is encouragement and butt chewing all at once. So, linemen are used to that; they can take it, they were wearing big boy pants so they can handle it, and that’s also part of the leadership part of it, and Fish is good about it. He just kept bearing down; he didn’t complain, he just keeps rolling, that’s what he does and so very dependable that way on being there.”
The offensive line in Kansas City is still a work in progress as they struggle with injuries. They’ll want to put this game behind them from a pass protection perspective, but there exists optimism that they’re trending in the right direction with two games left in the regular season. A healthy starting line will be a key component for the explosive offense to maintain its stability throughout the playoffs.
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