The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have emerged as one of many best dynasties ever assembled. They discover themselves getting ready to immortality with an opportunity to turn out to be the primary franchise in NFL historical past to win three consecutive Tremendous Bowls.
The Chiefs didn’t get to this place with dumb luck or help from referees (regardless of what some NFL followers may declare). They acquired right here as a result of they’re one of many best-run organizations in skilled sports activities, and so they have a stacked roster with high-level gamers in each place.
Let’s analyze KC’s place teams and provides every unit a grade from A to F.
Quarterback – A
Patrick Mahomes is the very best quarterback within the NFL, even when he’s having a down 12 months statistically. Throughout a season the place he failed to fulfill his yearly averages by way of passing yards, passing touchdowns, and quarterback score, Mahomes nonetheless received 17 of the 18 video games he began and led the Chiefs to the Tremendous Bowl.
It’s additionally price noting that the down 12 months we’re referring to – 3,928 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with a completion fee of 67.5% – can be a profession 12 months for 98% of all different quarterbacks in NFL historical past.
You possibly can’t give the Chiefs’ QB any grade aside from an A.
Working Again – D
I’m satisfied that Isiah Pacheco’s prolonged absence was actually detrimental to KC’s operating again room. Pacheco has not regarded proper after getting back from an damage in Week 13. Since then, he has solely averaged 29.3 dashing yards per recreation.
Kareem Hunt has taken a number of the strain off Pacheco, however his numbers aren’t a lot better. The 29-year-old again is simply good for 55.7 floor yards per recreation.
Patrick Mahomes has accounted for over 30% of KC’s playoff dashing yards. That tells me that the Chiefs’ operating again room is failing to fulfill expectations.
Broad Receiver – C
KC’s broad receivers have been adequate to assist the staff attain a 3rd consecutive Tremendous Bowl.
Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy has made a reputation for himself with a team-leading 11 catches on 13 targets. His 130 playoff receiving yards are second on the Chiefs to solely Travis Kelce. Worthy has turn out to be probably the most vital gamers on Kansas Metropolis’s offense.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and DeAndre Hopkins haven’t been lighting up opponents, however they’ve proven up in crucial moments with six mixed catches for 106 yards (25.1% of all KC’s receiving yards).
The Chiefs’ wideouts have been advantageous however not particular.
Tight Finish – A
Travis Kelce should have a change he activates when the playoffs start. After ending the common season with 51.4 yards per recreation and three touchdowns, Kelce is now averaging 68 yards per contest and already has a landing in two postseason video games this 12 months. Moreover, he has nearly doubled his yards per reception (8.5 throughout the common season vs. 15.1 within the postseason). So long as Travis Kelce steps foot on the sector with the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, he has the potential to play like the very best tight finish of all time.
Backup Noah Gray may also get issues accomplished when requested. He’s run blocker and averages over 2.2 catches per recreation this 12 months, which is greater than sufficient if you’re backing up Travis Kelce.
Offensive Line – C
Creed Humphrey was the very best middle within the NFL throughout the common season, in line with Pro Football Focus’ grading system. He had the best regular-season pass-blocking grade for facilities and the second-highest run-blocking grade. Outdoors of him although, the Chiefs’ offensive line isn’t nice.
Proper deal with Jawaan Taylor gave up seven sacks throughout the common season. Joe Thuney has allowed a sack in addition to two quarterback hits within the playoffs. Mike Caliendo and Trey Smith have mixed for a sack and three QB hits this postseason.
After surrendering 2.4 sacks per matchup throughout the common season, KC’s offensive line has already allowed Patrick Mahomes to be taken down 5 occasions in two playoff video games. Pair that with poor dashing numbers, and also you’re left with a median offensive line.
Defensive Line – A
Of the ten sacks that Kansas Metropolis’s protection has this postseason, 9 of them have come from defensive linemen.
Defensive finish George Karlaftis regarded just like the participant of the sport in opposition to the Houston Texans after he completed the afternoon with three sacks. He additionally had a significant impression within the AFC Championship with 4 whole tackles.
We have now to provide flowers to Chris Jones too, who has been the highest-graded pass-rushing defensive deal with within the playoffs. Regardless of fixed triple-teams and double-teams, his 4 assisted tackles are tied for the third most on the Chiefs.
On high of that, 4 different KC defensive linemen have not less than one sack this postseason.
That is arguably the Chiefs’ deepest unit and the group that’s enjoying the very best proper now.
Linebacker – B
Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, and Nick Bolton have been the three guys anchoring KC’s linebacking corps. Tranquill is tied for the staff lead in whole tackles (14) whereas Bolton is third in whole tackles (11). After that, there’s a big hole till we decide up once more with Chanel, who has six whole tackles.
Each Swayze Bozeman and Cam Jones have an assisted deal with. Nevertheless, just about all of Kansas Metropolis’s linebacker manufacturing is coming from the three aforementioned guys.
I’m going to provide Tranquill, Chanel, and Bolton a B somewhat than a C as a result of they’ve been requested to play so many defensive snaps. Their constant availability is extraordinarily vital to KC’s success on that aspect of the ball.
Cornerback – C
The Chiefs’ cornerback room has one actually good participant adopted by a bunch of common guys who’ve been stable throughout the playoffs.
With three go deflections, Trent McDuffie has been one of many league’s most disruptive cornerbacks this postseason. Plus, he has solely allowed seven receptions on 136 defensive snaps (eighth-fewest amongst all cornerbacks within the playoffs).
Jaylen Watson has given up three catches and solely has one go breakup within the playoffs. In the meantime, Joshua Williams and Christian Roland-Wallace have mixed for 2 solo tackles.
If it weren’t for Trent McDuffie, KC’s cornerback room can be the staff’s weakest unit.
Security – A
Although he typically strains up at nickel again, Chamarri Conner has been making a distinction as a security with 14 whole tackles, a sack, and a pressured fumble. Concurrently, Justin Reid has 12 tackles of his personal to go together with a go breakup in addition to 4 pressures, probably the most amongst safeties within the playoffs.
These two guys alone can be an ideal security room. However the Chiefs nonetheless have Bryan Prepare dinner, Jaden Hicks, and Nazeeh Johnson, who’ve mixed for twenty-four tackles in two video games.
The Chiefs have playmakers throughout the board on the security place. That would spell hassle for Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank final in postseason passing (138.7 yards per recreation).
