The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly escaped with a 19-17 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, but the win highlighted ongoing struggles with their offensive line. After experimenting unsuccessfully with Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris at left tackle, the Chiefs made a crucial change late in the game, shifting All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney to tackle and bringing Mike Caliendo into the guard position. While this adjustment helped solidify the line temporarily, it underscored a season-long issue with protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
To address the problem, the Chiefs recently signed former Pro Bowl left tackle D.J. Humphries, though he is still acclimating to the team and recovering from a major ACL injury. Ideally, Humphries would start next week against the Chargers, but realistically, the team may need more time to integrate him. Until then, Kansas City could face tough decisions about whether to rely on Morris again or keep Thuney at tackle, despite the disruption this causes to the offensive line.
The protection issues have been glaring. Mahomes, who previously went 113 starts without being sacked five times in a game, has faced such pressure in consecutive weeks. Penalties and poor blocking have further hindered an offense already adapting to numerous injuries. Despite these struggles, the Chiefs have found ways to win close games, compiling an 11-1 record and clinching a postseason bye, thanks in part to their resilience in one-possession contests.
Offensively, the passing game is finding its rhythm as DeAndre Hopkins becomes a bigger factor. His impact was evident against the Raiders, as his presence opened opportunities for others like Travis Kelce. However, the running game remains ineffective, with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt failing to produce consistent gains. Meanwhile, on defense, Chris Jones broke a sack drought with two critical takedowns, but the secondary continues to struggle following Jaylen Watson’s season-ending injury.
The Chiefs’ performance against the Raiders also highlighted key areas needing improvement. The team’s secondary, particularly Nazeeh Johnson, Chamarri Conner, and Bryan Cook, has been inconsistent, which could pose challenges against stronger passing offenses. However, Kansas City avoided any new injuries in the game, a small but important victory as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs have extra preparation time before facing the Chargers, whom they’ve beaten six consecutive times. This break offers a crucial opportunity to refine their game plan and address pressing issues, particularly along the offensive line, as they aim to carry momentum into the playoffs and prove their championship credentials.
