NFL Network analyst breaks down how two Chiefs linemen kept J. J. Watt at bay
Houston Texans defensive lineman J. J. Watt’s statistics in Thursday’s season opener didn’t exactly jump off the page.
Watt had three tackles (two solo) and two quarterback hits in the Chiefs’ 34-20 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs’ offensive line did a nice job of keeping Watt away from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger highlighted two players in particular.
In his “Baldy’s Breakdowns,” Baldinger showed how right tackle Mitchell Schwartz used his hands to bait Watt into making a mistake.
“Mitchell Schwartz has started 136 games,” Baldinger said. “In other words, he’s started every single game in his professional career. And Thursday night against J. J. Watt, he had very little problem, but he’s doing things now that experienced players do.”
Baldinger also detailed center Austin Reiter on a couple of plays as he kept Watt out of the pocket in a one-on-one matchup. Baldinger noted how Reiter was drafted by the Washington Football Team and then went to the Browns before being signed by the Chiefs in 2018.
“This is football,” Baldinger said. “This is what it’s about, just persevering and sticking around. To have people believing in you. That guy has started 20 straight games for the Chiefs, not winning any awards, all he does is line up and play great football.”
