Jacob Sisneros
2 min read • January 17, 2023
Posted in
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Offense: For the fourth time in five seasons, neither Patrick Mahomes nor Travis Kelce missed a game due to injury and they led the league’s best scoring offense and passing offense.
Wide receivers Juju Smith-Schuster (concussion), Mecole Hardman (abdominal injury), and Kadarius Toney (hamstring) each missed a handful of games but all three are healthy and available heading into the playoffs, helping Kansas City to a 93.3 pass offense SIC score.
The biggest development over the season was Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who suffered a high-ankle sprain and ceded his backfield snaps to Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon.
Rookie Pacheco has 118 rushes for 569 yards and three scores in the last eight games and the veteran McKinnon has 31 rushes for 136 yards and 25 receptions for 274 yards and eight total touchdowns in Weeks 13-17.
Most importantly, each of the five starting offensive linemen played at least 86% of the snaps this season and only left guard Joe Thuney, who is nursing a mild ankle injury, has missed time since their bye in Week 8.
Defense: Star defensive end Frank Clark is the big name to watch this week for the Chiefs. He left Week 18 with a “minor” groin injury, according to head coach Andy Reid.
The three-time Pro Bowler would be a big absence if he misses the game or is limited this week against the Jaguars. Kansas City could also move him to defensive tackle and move Chris Jones outside, as they have done in the past.
Earlier this season, rookie first-round cornerback Trent McDuffie suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1 and missed the first half of the season. Since his return in Week 9, the Chiefs have allowed 20.44 points per game on 181.9 passing yards with 15 touchdowns, seven picks, 30 sacks, and 6.3 yards per attempt, all significantly improved from the first seven games.
All 11 starters are healthy and expected to be ready for the playoffs and only L’Jarius Sneed (hip) and Nick Bolton (rib) were listed on the Week 18 injury report.
Overall: The Chiefs were far-and-away the healthiest team entering the playoffs and got even healthier with the bye week. They’re a force to be reckoned with this postseason, but covered in just 37.5% of their regular season games.
Offense: Trevor Lawrence has had a breakout season after his treacherous rookie season, which resulted in the firing of former Jaguars coach Urban Meyer. This season Lawrence ranks top 15 in passing yards, PFF grade, passing touchdowns, and QBR.
But, the sophomore quarterback suffered a minor toe injury in the team’s week 17 game. Lawrence has battled through in the playoffs but has been less willing to scramble for yards.
The left tackle spot continues to be an issue for the Jaguars after the loss of Cam Robinson. Walker Little is filling in, but teams are clearly targeting the Stanford left tackle on the pass rush. Left guard Ben Bartch is also absent after a late-season knee injury landed him on IR. Expect the Chiefs to take advantage with Frank Clark, George Karlaftis and Chris Jones at their disposal.
Defense: The 2022 NFL Draft started with Travon Walker's name being called first. However, the surprise number one pick’s career hasn't jumped out to its fastest start.
He has a 58.6 PFF grade and only four sacks this season. To make matters worse, the DE suffered a mild high ankle sprain in Week 14.
He returned to action in week 17 but looked hampered and only registered a 51.8 PFF grade. Walker should be closer to being healthy this deep in the playoffs, but it’s a situation to monitor for the otherwise healthy defense.
Overview: Outside of some offensive line issues, the Jaguars are healthy and ready for a matchup against the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the healthiest team remaining in the playoffs.
Offense: The Bills are down veteran WRs Jamison Crowder and Jake Kumerow, but have fared well on offense the entire season with Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox healthy.
With Josh Allen at the helm, the Bills scored the fifth most points in the league during the regular season and ranked 9th in both passing yards and rushing yards.
Defense: Free safety Damar Hamlin is a big loss in countless ways for this team. The fact that he’s alive and on the road to recovery is great news given the circumstances, but his play in the secondary will be hard to replace. Hamlin had been filling in admirably for All-Pro safety Micah Hyde, while strong safety Jordan Poyer is playing through a partially torn lateral meniscus.
Hyde has a significant chance to return this week and would be a huge boost for the secondary.
Despite the loss of star pass rusher Von Miller, the Bills have allowed the second least points this season. They rank middle of the pack in sacks with 39.
No. 1 cornerback Tre’Davious White is still working his way back from his Thanksgiving 2021 ACL tear, but the Bills’ secondary has allowed the 8th least yards.
Overview: The preseason Super Bowl favorites have picked up bumps and bruises at key positions, but have ranked well statistically despite the turmoil.
Offense: The Bengals’ offensive line situation has deteriorated quickly and now they will likely start three backup linemen this week against the Bills.
Right tackle La’el Collins tore his ACL in Week 16, right guard Alex Cappa suffered a significant ankle/knee injury in Week 18 and left tackle Jonah Williams left the Wild Card win after suffering a left knee patella subluxation.
Hakeem Adeniji – who has now spent time at left tackle, right guard, and right tackle in his three NFL seasons – has filled in well at right tackle, while Max Scharping will slot in at right guard and Jackson Carman will likely get the start at left tackle.
The combination of injuries could force Joe Burrow to get the ball out quick against Buffalo.
Defense: Any of the pro-bowl caliber AFC quarterbacks that face the Cincinnati defense will face a vulnerable secondary without No. 1 cornerback Chidobe Awuzie.
The 27-year-old Colorado alum suffered a torn ACL on Halloween, while backup strong safety Brandon Wilson is also expected to miss the rest of the season after he was placed on IR with a knee injury.
Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, and Tre Flowers have adopted the snaps, with Hilton posting a leading 57 tackles and 71.4 PFF grade. The second-round rookie Taylor-Britt has 46 tackles and five passes defended since his debut in Week 7.
Defensive ends Trey Hendrickson (back, wrist) and Sam Hubbard (calf) missed late-season games but each are healthy for the playoffs.
Overall: Burrow, Chase and Higgins will once again attempt a late playoff run behind an underperforming and injured offensive line and alongside a secondary with holes.
Written by Jacob Sisneros
