Chiefs-Giants players to watch: KC’s O-line has taken trip down memory (nightmare) lane
Perhaps more than any game so far this season, the Tennessee Titans win over the Chiefs was reminiscent of Kansas City’s Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That February day, the Chiefs’ high-powered offense couldn’t get much going largely because a ferocious Bucs pass rush kept Patrick Mahomes on the run throughout the game. The Chiefs didn’t get into the end zone for the first time in Mahomes’ career.
It’s concerning that Tennessee’s defense, at least in terms of NFL statistical rankings, was nothing like Tampa Bay’s in February. And yet the Titans managed to match what the Bucs did in the championship game, holding Mahomes and the Chiefs out of the end zone.
Mahomes was sacked four times and pressured nine times. He didn’t finish the game because of a hit he sustained in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs’ revamped offensive line, which earned some praise earlier in the season, is now under fire and will be a focus when the Chiefs take on the Giants Monday.
Let’s lead our weekly assemblage of players to watch with one of those linemen.
Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
On the first series last week, Brown allowed the Titans’ Bud Dupree to get his first sack of the season. And Brown went on to allow two additional sacks. The offensive line had its worst game of the season. Guard Trey Smith was flagged twice for holding, guard Joe Thuney for a false start, and the list goes on. But Brown plays the key position, protecting Mahomes’ blind side, so he shoulders a lot of responsibility. Mahomes takes some deep drops and occasionally abandons the pocket too soon, these things are true, but just as true is the fact that the same O-line that was seen as a strength early has now become a question mark. It’s time for Brown to protect the franchise.
Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton
Bolton is coming off the most productive game of his rookie season with 15 tackles, including four for losses, against the Titans. He filled the gaps and helped hold Derrick Henry to a season-low 2.97 yards per carry. But he did allow five receptions on six targets for 48 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. The second-round selection from Missouri played a season-high 84% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps last Sunday in the absence of injured Anthony Hitchens. He even started the game wearing the “green dot” helmet, taking instruction from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and getting his teammates lined up. His learning curve has flattened and the Chiefs hope that progression continues Monday night.
Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari
As the Giants’ lead against Carolina grew last week, defenders pinned their ears back and overwhelmed backup Carolina quarterback P.J. Walker. Ojulari collected 2 1/2 sacks, all in the second half, three tackles for a loss and four quarterback hits. Ojulari, a second-round pick from Georgia, already has tied the Giants’ franchise record for sacks in a rookie season, with 5.5. He had one in each of his first three games. Teams adjusted and Ojuarli has adjusted back. He’s a good one.
Giants kicker Graham Gano
Gano was selected as the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making field goals of 49, 53 and 44 yards against Carolina, his old team. The Panthers also happen to be Harrison Butker’s former team: In 2017, Gano beat out Butker for the starting job, and the Chiefs signed the former Georgia Tech kicker to replace Cairo Santos.