Reply To: ***Chiefs @ Rams: Week 12 Game Day Thread***

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3. A closer look at the mismatch up front

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The Rams’ offensive line wasn’t anything to be proud of at the beginning of the season — but since, they’ve had their starting left tackle and left guard go on injured reserve, their starting center miss time (including Week 11), and now their backup left tackle is a game-time decision.

Especially with an inexperienced quarterback behind them, this should be a feast for the Chiefs’ pass rush. Defensive tackle Chris Jones will bully the interior and attract double teams constantly, giving everyone else on the line consistent one-on-one opportunities. Any edge rusher going over left tackle should feel good about matching up with Bobby Evans, a career backup that allowed two sacks and three hurries in 28 pass-block snaps last week.

Kansas City’s unit has ballooned to the NFL’s fourth-highest sack total and sixth-highest pressure total for a reason, and it’s why they should be able to wreck this aspect of the game. I’d be disappointed with anything less than a dominant performance.

4. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s return

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After missing one week with the concussion he suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars , Smith-Schuster has been a full participant in practice this week.

Even with wide receivers Mecole Hardman (injured reserve) and Kadarius Toney (hamstring) still not in the mix, Smith-Schuster’s return will come at the expense of the team’s two leaders at wide receiver last game: Justin Watson and rookie Skyy Moore.

In some ways, I feel like Watson was used as a direct replacement for Smith-Schuster in how they aligned — but Moore’s tough catches and plays over the middle were the kinds of plays that Smith-Schuster was making.

With Toney and Hardman being the receivers out of the lineup, Moore’s talents are more fit to replace those specific skillsets — so watch for the rookie receiver to have another impactful game.

5. Any change up at right tackle?

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This week, the Chiefs officially activated former starting right tackle Lucas Niang from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List that he has been on since training camp. Niang has finally recovered from the patella injury he suffered late in last year’s regular season.

As a reminder, Niang began the 2021 season as the team’s starting right tackle — getting five weeks in before the team made a change and put veteran Mike Remmers in his spot. Niang would return to the lineup four more times that season but left two of those games with injuries — including the season-ending one.

Since the Niang injury, veteran Andrew Wylie has taken every significant right-tackle snap — and while there are flaws, he has settled into an extent this season.

So is there any need for an immediate switch-up? Likely not — but keep an eye on it. Niang’s superior size makes him a more enticing run blocker, but Wylie’s quicker feet probably make him the better pass-protection candidate currently.