By Robert Marvi
Copyright newsweek
Coming off their resounding defeat in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs were being counted out by plenty of people coming into the new NFL season.Sure enough, they lost in Week 1 to the Los Angeles Chargers, 27-21. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t play up to his standards, as he completed 24 of 39 pass attempts and had just one touchdown pass, and they also lost second-year speedster wide receiver Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury in the first half.The Chiefs have already been without wideout Rashee Rice, who is serving a six-game suspension, but they aren’t just suffering from a lack of capable skill players. During an appearance on “The Herd w/ Colin Cowherd,” legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady pointed to one key position on Kansas City’s offensive line as another big concern.”They’ve been trying to find a left tackle at that position for a long time in that offense. And it’s a challenge because it affects the way the quarterback feels like, ‘Can I really sit back there and do I trust my teammates up front to be able to protect me long enough so that I can see down the field to read the coverage and then make a very decisive, accurate throw?'”Read more: 49ers’ Jauan Jennings in Danger of Missing Week 2Brady pointed out how Mahomes has had to play with different collections of offensive linemen over the last few years. Kansas City once had Orlando Brown, a four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, but he left after the 2022 season to join the Cincinnati Bengals.They currently have Josh Simmons, a rookie who was the No. 32 pick in April’s draft, starting at left tackle.Last season, the Chiefs ranked eighth in pass-block win rate, according to stats provided by ESPN. But last week, Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh was able to put together a game plan that often had Mahomes on the run.Mahomes was able to gain 57 yards on the ground in six carry attempts, but that pressure led to Kansas City converting on just five of 14 third downs.Read more: Cowboys’ DaRon Bland Hit With Another Concerning InjuryWith Kansas City’s wide receiver room depleted due to injury, opponents may feel they can apply additional pressure on Mahomes, knowing that he has fewer reliable outlets available to him.The schedule won’t make things easier on the team either. It will have a Super Bowl rematch with Philly this Sunday, and on Sunday, Sept. 28, it will host Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in what could be a preview of this winter’s playoffs.For more on the Chiefs and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
