Joe Thuney a key figure in Chiefs matchup versus Chargers

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The Kansas City Chiefs have had over a week to digest their performance on Thursday Night Football and how they can finally unlock their struggles through the air.

On Sunday, they return to Arrowhead looking to pad their lead atop the AFC West as they currently sit at 5-1, two games above the Las Vegas Raiders.

One player to watch for when KC take to the field against the Los Angeles Chargers is Joe Thuney, a veteran guard who’s been outstanding in pass protection for the Chiefs all season.

At 30 years old, he’s been the standout for this offensive line in 2023, without a sack allowed through six weeks, while taking just one penalty on 416 offensive snaps.

In March 2021, Thuney signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Chiefs, and he’s delivered in a big way thus far.

He was at his best last season versus the Eagles in the Super Bowl, as Thuney and company didn’t allow a single sack on a hobbled Patrick Mahomes, who played on a high-ankle sprain.

Mahomes has only taken six quarterback sacks to this stage of the year, and although his ability to scramble and make things happen has played a big part in those low numbers, so has the presence of Thuney.

The 6’5″, 304-pound guard was particularly strong last week against the Broncos.

Thuney played 46 blocking snaps in that encounter and did not allow a single sack or pressure on the Chiefs #15.

The Chargers are a handful in the pass-rushing department, tied with the Miami Dolphins for the third most sacks thus far (21).

Judging from what we saw from them on Monday night, LA is showing no signs of slowing down as a solid Dallas O-line had trouble keeping them at bay, with the Chargers registering five sacks.

Khalil Mack is the main man to watch out for, currently third in the NFL for sacks (7), but he’s not the only threat that Thuney and company have to watch out for as Mack is one of five Chargers with multiple sacks this year alongside Morgan Fox (five), Joey Bosa (three), Sebastian Joseph-Day (two) and Tuli Tuipulotu (two).

Coming out of North Carolina State, the concern with Thuney was his small hands and lean frame, while he was deemed to be unreliable as a cross-face blocker according to his scouting report.

Since coming over from the New England Patriots, Thuney has been a significant addition to the Chiefs’ blocking game, as KC allowed the third-fewest sacks in the league last season (26).

His supposed deficiencies, don’t seem to have hurt him to this point in his NFL career.

Being able to shut down such a talented and dynamic pass-rushing group like the Chargers would further establish the three-time Super Bowl champ as one of the most gifted players at his position.