Despite the loss of Orlando Brown, the presence of Taylor and Smith on the line projects to keep the Chiefs' offense rolling, even if that success is achieved in different ways yet again. My models have shown that improved offensive-line play is not just correlated but causal to significant year-over-year increases in first-down and touchdown probabilities. I look forward to seeing what new plays, alignments and wrinkles Andy Reid folds into the offense this year, with the departures of Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman leaving room for Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and rookie Rashee Rice to step up around perennial pass-catching anchor Travis Kelce.Īnother factor working in Kansas City' favor: the additions of veteran tackles Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith. Kansas City, meanwhile, ranked first in the NFL in scoring and yards per play. Last season, with Tyreek Hill exiting and JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling coming aboard, the Chiefs relied more on the short-passing game than they had in the past - and Patrick Mahomes proved he can adapt to any play style, logging 31 touchdown passes on throws of 10 air yards or less, 12 more than anyone else in the NFL (per Next Gen Stats).
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