The Kansas City Chiefs had to do something a bit unconventional against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. But, hey, it got the job done, and the Chiefs were able to win another one. This time, not so close with no “luck” or help from the refs, as the NFL world would say. What happened was, the Chiefs had to put one of their best players out of position all game long, and he excelled.
Left tackle has been the biggest issue for this team this season. You can’t hide that, deny it, or run from it. It’s not a secret, either, as the opposing team that is lined up against the Chiefs’ left tackle has been having a great game, no matter who the team or player is. So, the Chiefs experimented with Joe Thuney at left tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers last week, and it got better.
The thing is, Thuney is an All-Pro left guard, and you’re moving one of your best players out of position. Andy Reid never batted an eye.
“I thought Thuney, who was asked to play left tackle and hadn’t done that since college, he got out there and really battled against one of the best defensive ends in the game right now,” Reid said after the game. “He battled his heart out. He had taken a few snaps there last week and felt comfortable. Veteran player, and look, I scouted him as a tackle, so I knew he could get out there and battle. He’s been an All-Pro at two other positions, so we gave him a chance at the tackle spot today.”
The Chiefs still struggled against a good defensive line and maybe the best pass rusher in the league in Myles Garrett. But, it looked a bit more cohesive.
And, Thuney didn’t seem to have an issue much of the game, either.
“It felt good and my coaches have done a great job preparing this for me all week,” Thuney said after the game. “I have a lot of good guys, tight ends, and running backs around me, so they helped me with calls. Mike [Caliendo] was great at left guard, and it truly was a team effort to win and help be my best at guard.”
There is one thing, though, that still has to be fixed. Mahomes was still hit 12 times, and that just can’t happen. That is the franchise, one of the greatest to ever touch the football, and you’re allowing him to get hit 12 times. We saw after the game that Mahomes was struggling to walk with an ankle issue, and getting hit certainly doesn’t help.
The Chiefs found a small fix, but work still needs to be done. Either way, it sounds like Reid isn’t upset with what he’s seeing.
After losing to the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs have won every game since. They play the Houston Texans next before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos to close the season out.
