Chiefs have faith the O-Line can bounce back | KCSN Daily 12.28
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The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line had a tough game in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The unit was under siege all day and nearly allowed more pressure in a single game than they did in their past two games combined. Patrick Mahomes challenged the offensive line to play better early in the game, but even when their play improved, he was quick to flee the pocket. At times, he even felt himself drifting in the pocket, which made life harder on his offensive line.
“There were times when the pocket was clean, and I was drifting back, and that invites the rush to be even better,” Mahomes said. “I honestly thought that the offensive line stepped up to the challenge as the game went on. Obviously, the first few drives you saw me talking to them, I just challenged those guys to be better, and they were. Then it’s on me, if I’m going to challenge them to be better, I have to be better within the pocket. I was proud of how those guys responded throughout the middle parts of that game and toward the end of it. I have to trust those guys as much as I talk. That’s on me to be better and better as games go on and don’t drift and try to do too much.”
The challenge doesn’t get any easier in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals with defenders like Trey Hendrickson, BJ Hill, and Sam Hubbard in the trenches. Matt Nagy likened the challenge to the one they faced a week ago with Las Vegas, but he believes that his offensive line is up to the challenge on Sunday.
“I have an absolutely amazing amount of belief in this offensive line that we have,” Chiefs OC Matt Nagy said. “These guys are special, they know it. They are fun to coach, they practice hard, they play hard. It’s just last week again all of us – it wasn’t our A-game, obviously. I have a lot of trust and belief in that offensive line moving forward this week, I just do. I don’t think saying, talking about it is going to do – they’re just going to put it on tape and that’s a good thing. I know Pat (Mahomes) feels that same way and we all do.
“I have an amazing amount of support for this entire offense. We’re working through it together. It’s not easy but if this was easy, everyone would be doing it. Winning is easy, this is the part where we have to stick together.”
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Dave Toub on Tommy Townsend’s fake punt pass:
Chiefs fans have seen Tommy Townsend’s arm come into play before and it came into play once again in Week 16. Townsend has attempted a pass in each of the last four seasons, with three completions totaling 40 yards and three first-down conversions.
“That situation, the time was running out in the half, you know it was getting down and possession-wise we probably weren’t going to get it back again,” Toub explained. “The down and distance, it was 4th-and-five and we practiced that all week, you know in that situation. It’s a fake that we have because Tommy (Townsend) can throw the ball so well. Those guys executed it unbelievably because they kind of knew it was coming. They defended it. You know, the corner dropped back, and they defended the five-yard spot but 84 (Justin Watson) pressed it and made the play work. Then Tommy (Townsend) adjusted, too, so both of those guys deserve a lot of credit for making the play work with the defense that they gave, that they showed us.”
Toub added that they got the perfect look from the Raiders to run the play, but that Townsend had an opportunity to check out of the play if the gunner who was set to receive the pass got doubled.
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Chiefs Injury Report:
Quick Hits:
The future is bright for Chiefs rookie OT Wanya Morris despite Week 16 struggles.
Former Chiefs DE Jared Allen is one step closer to the Hall of Fame.
The Chiefs currently have the fewest AFC weekly awards of the Patrick Mahomes era.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter thinks the Chiefs are fatigued after several extended seasons.
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Important Dates Ahead:
Dec. 31: NFL Week 17 - Bengals at Chiefs
Jan. 7: NFL Week 18 - Chiefs at Chargers
