Redskin

Week 4 NFL mismatches: Why Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes could light it up


Yardbarker’s Michael Nania analyzes the biggest positional mismatches each week during the NFL season.

Chiefs offensive line vs. Lions pass rush

The surprising Lions (2-0-1), who host the undefeated Chiefs (3-0) in Week 4, face a major disadvantage in the trenches. Patrick Mahomes and Co. should have plenty of room to operate, a scary prospect for Detroit fans and a reason to celebrate for the Kansas City QB’s fantasy football owners. Here’s why:

Kansas City’s offensive front is superb, allowing a sack rate of just 2.5 percent, the third-best mark in the league. After a slow start in the run game, the Chiefs’ line made a major statement in Week 3, opening lanes for 140 rushing yards against Baltimore’s top-ranked run defense. Pro Football Focus rates the Chiefs’ offensive line as the second-best pass blocking unit in the league and 15th best in the run game.

Left tackle Cameron Erving and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz are the driving forces behind the success of Kansas City’s offensive line. Schwartz is a longtime mainstay in Kansas City, and Erving is a nice surprise in relief of injured starter Eric Fisher. The duo are nearly perfect in pass protection, allowing no sacks and a combined five QB pressures (four by Schwartz, one by Erving).

The play against the Ravens below displays how the offensive line helps the Chiefs produce huge plays. Erving (left tackle, 75) and Schwartz (right tackle, 71) dominate their one-on-one matchups, giving Mahomes plenty of time to hit Mecole Hardman for 83-yard touchdown. The interior trio does an excellent job as well.





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