The first-seeded Kansas City Chiefs host the fourth-seeded Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. One crucial matchup to monitor throughout the game is Kansas City’s offensive line, primarily the offensive tackles, vs. Houston’s defensive line, mainly the EDGE rushers. The Chiefs’ offensive line has struggled to protect Patrick Mahomes, allowing the fourth-most pressures, the sixth-highest pressure percentage, the third-most hits, and the sixteenth-most sacks. The Texans’ pass rush has been solid, with the twelfth-most pressures, the thirteenth-highest pressure percentage, the fourteenth-most hits, and the fifth-most sacks.
The biggest question mark surrounding the offensive line is who will start at left tackle. So far this season, the team has started four players there, including their banged-up free-agent acquisition.
The Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl newcomer is healthy, but…
The Chiefs signed Pro Bowler D.J. Humphries in late November with the expectation that he would finish the season as Patrick Mahomes’ blindside protector and offer stability to the left tackle position. Unfortunately, Humphries suffered a hamstring injury in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, which sidelined him until Week 17. Even though he fully recovered from the hamstring injury, Andy Reid didn’t commit to him regaining the starting spot since left guard Joe Thuney played well in relief.
“Yeah, I’m going to do the same thing. I’ve taken it this far. I’m going to get with the coaches and just make sure what they want and where we’re at with that, but they’ve both been in there,” Reid said, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “They’ve both been in there and done a nice job. It’s a good — that’s a positive thing.
“Listen, [Mahomes] likes both guys,” Reid said. “He trusts those guys and that’s where he’s at, but I always keep that in mind for sure.”
Chiefs’ elite lineman will make his 4th start at this position
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Chiefs will start Joe Thuney at left tackle against the Houston Texans, although D.J. Humphries is healthy enough to play. Thuney will make his fourth start at left tackle this season. The team is simply going with the hot hand, hoping to make their seventh consecutive AFC Championship Game appearance.
#Chiefs plan to start Joe Thuney at left tackle Saturday vs. #Texans, per sources. D.J. Humphries is healthy, but Thuney, a Pro Bowl guard, flourished in tackle relief while Humphries was hurt. So, Chiefs prepared to ride the hot hand. pic.twitter.com/ep1vvU8VGL
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 17, 2025
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