Former NFL offensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Andrew Whitworth joined Thursday’s edition of GoJo and Golic to preview the NFL Divisional Round and who might have an edge.
The Kansas City Chiefs‘ offensive line will have their work cut out for them as they face a RELENTLESS Houston Texans pass rush, but the Chiefs are currently 8.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook. With the Chiefs giving both D.J. Humphries and Joe Thuney reps at left tackle this week, Whitworth weighed in on the KC’s offensive line strategy going into this game, he shared that the Chiefs’ offensive line needs to focus on more than just stopping the Texans’ edge rushers as Houston’s interior defenders can cause just as much trouble. He pointed out that a key to Patrick Mahomes’ success has been the strength of the interior offensive line, which has been one of the best in the NFL over the past few years. Keeping that core solid will allow Mahomes to maneuver in the pocket as needed.
.@AndrewWhitworth on the Chiefs’ O-line strategy vs. the Texans — can they hold the line?
“They'll help him (D.J. Humphries) first, and then they'll make the move because I think once you make the move this time to me, it's for the rest of the playoffs…This is going to be the… pic.twitter.com/sfKoKQ43Bf
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) January 16, 2025
Whitworth believes Humphries, if healthy, can play a crucial role, especially with the ability to give tackles extra help in the game plan. However, with Houston’s elite pass rushers, he stressed the importance of keeping Thuney in his natural spot and ensuring the interior protection holds up. Maintaining a strong pocket against a front like Houston’s will be the difference in keeping Mahomes comfortable and the offense running smoothly. Senior raised the question of how the Chiefs would respond if Humphries struggled. Whitworth noted that he expects the Chiefs to ease Humphries into the game with plenty of early help. He explained that for Andy Reid, “help” usually means getting the ball out of Mahomes’ hands quickly by using screens, perimeter runs and short passes to control the tempo and gauge how Humphries is holding up. As the game progresses and Humphries gains confidence, the Chiefs may gradually scale back the extra support. But once they commit to him, Whitworth believes it’s likely a decision for the rest of the playoffs. Stability on the offensive line is crucial, and constantly rotating players can disrupt continuity. If Humphries settles in, the Chiefs will want to stick with that lineup for their playoff run.
A quarterback Whitworth knows really well is Matthew Stafford, who had a lot of success last week spinning it against the Vikings’ defense. GoJo had Whitworth expound on Stafford’s relationship with Rams head coach Sean McVay. Whitworth called Stafford Mr. December thanks to all of his late-season success and praised him for his ability to thrive in big moments. He noted his resilience through injury-riddled seasons and his knack for leading the Rams to the playoffs, even under challenging circumstances. Despite roster setbacks, Stafford has consistently kept the team competitive.
Regarding McVay, Whitworth called him one of the best coaches in the NFL and stressed that it is not just for his football IQ but also for his unique feel for the game. He explained that while many coaches can draw up plays, McVay has an unmatched instinct for calling the right one at the right time. As an offensive lineman for the Rams, Whitworth would often think, this is the perfect time for this play, and before he could say anything, McVay had already called it.
The one thing that most teams left in the playoffs have in common is that stout offensive lines anchor them. Whitworth shared his top offensive line units left in the playoffs, predicting that the Eagles and Lions would be the teams to watch because of their dominance in the trenches. While the Rams’ presence in the mix has added some conflict to his initial prediction, he still believes that teams built on elite offensive and defensive line play are the ones that will go the distance. For him, the top offensive lines left in the playoffs belong to the Ravens, Chiefs, Eagles, Lions and Bills. He noted that while the Chiefs haven’t been as dominant up front this season, the other four teams have stood out. Buffalo, in particular, has been surprised with how well they’ve executed in the run game, crediting Aaron Kromer for maximizing that unit’s performance. Whitworth selected those five teams that can physically impose their will, a crucial factor in playoff football. In his eyes, the teams that dominate up front are best positioned to make a deep run.
Watch or listen to the full show below and tune into GoJo and Golic weekday mornings from 8-10 a.m. ET on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Hour 1: The Lions and Chiefs’ Path to the Super Bowl + Ben Johnson Will Coach the Bears + Lamar’s Missing Trophy
VIDEO
Watch GoJo and Golic every weekday on Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Xumo Play, Google TV and DraftKingsNetwork.com from 8 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is also available via audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Mike Golic Sr. on X at @golic and Mike Golic Jr. on X at @mikegolicjr.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information
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