12-30-2021, 05:26 PM
(12-30-2021, 03:40 PM)Joelist Wrote: It isn't a narrative. Even pro Analysts have mentioned that the Chiefs have not faced big time defensive lines this year and when you look at the lines in terms of sacks produced the Bengals (at 33 from the DL) are by far the most productive DL they have faced this season. Their Locked on Bengals guy opined that if the opposing team can get pressure with 4 and not need to blitz it could cause issues; well it just happens the Bengals DL does exactly that.
So it isn't just our OL that is on the spot - so is theirs. And hopefully this week Lou opens up his playbook and dials up some shifts and moves up front to give Hendrickson, Hubbard, Hill, Reader (YAY!) Kareem and Ogunjobi the best chance to affect things.
Cleveland's line is as good as ours, there are a couple others I think are but I have a buddy that has the PFF subscription that NFL teams get looking into it for me. The whole narrative of get "pressure with 4 and not need to blitz "has already been defeated a bit. You will get some pressure even with a really good line but not a ton, but the issue with 4 rushers was it created two high looks and Mahomes was horrible at taking underneath stuff early in the year and was turning the ball over at a high rate against two high looks. Since then the Chiefs have adjusted to the two high looks with their passing scheme and since no one is getting immediate pressure out of 4 man fronts it has really put a damper on that theory in my mind.
KC has now seen more two high looks than almost any team in the league since around week 3 or 4. I just don't think it's the magic bullet people want to act like it is because it's an old theory that KC has adjusted to. I mentioned in another thread, I think you need to go the route of sending pressure and getting physical with the receivers (i.e. holding them) and see if you can't steal a turnover or a couple sacks off that knowing you'll take a couple 5 yard penalties for holding at times.
