Film Study: How Well Did Josh Simmons Protect Patrick Mahomes in the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals Game?

In the NFL, the success of a team’s quarterback often hinges on the performance of the offensive line. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the spotlight was on Josh Simmons in their matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. As Patrick Mahomes’ primary protector, Simmons’ ability to protect Mahomes from the pass rush would be key to the Chiefs’ offensive success in this game. Let’s dive into how well Josh Simmons performed and how his blocking influenced Mahomes’ ability to run the offense.

The Importance of Josh Simmons in the Chiefs’ Offensive Line

Josh Simmons was expected to play a pivotal role in keeping Mahomes upright and preventing the Arizona defense from wreaking havoc on the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. As a key piece of the offensive line, his responsibilities included ensuring Mahomes had enough time in the pocket to survey the field, find open receivers, and deliver the ball accurately. Given Mahomes’ penchant for improvisation, it’s crucial that the offensive line provides him with a clean pocket to maximize his unique abilities.

The Matchup: Simmons vs. Cardinals’ Defensive Line

The Arizona Cardinals brought a formidable defensive line to the game, led by standout edge rushers who could disrupt Mahomes’ rhythm. Simmons had his work cut out for him, facing off against one of the league’s more aggressive defensive fronts. However, the Chiefs’ offense is designed to counteract pressure with quick throws, screens, and Mahomes’ ability to escape the pocket when necessary. The question was whether Simmons could offer the necessary protection to allow these strategies to unfold.

First Half Performance: Solid Foundation

In the first half of the game, Josh Simmons appeared to settle into his role as Mahomes’ protector. On passing plays, Simmons did a solid job of initially engaging with his defender and maintaining control. His lateral movement allowed him to create a stable pocket for Mahomes, and he showed good awareness when it came to passing off defenders on stunts or twist plays. Despite facing pressure from Arizona’s defensive ends, Simmons’ strength and technique were evident, as he kept his hands inside the defender’s frame, which is crucial to avoiding penalties for holding.

Simmons was especially effective against Arizona’s speed rushers, using his quick feet to stay in front of the pass rusher, while maintaining an effective base to prevent the rusher from collapsing the pocket. As Mahomes thrives in a clean pocket, this early protection allowed the Chiefs to move the ball efficiently, with Mahomes quickly releasing passes to his playmakers.

Notable Plays: Key Moments in the First Half

1st Quarter Protection: On a 3rd-and-5 early in the game, Simmons effectively handled an inside stunt, allowing Mahomes the necessary time to find an open receiver down the field. The play resulted in a key conversion and set the tone for the Chiefs’ ability to protect their QB in crucial moments.
2nd Quarter Pocket Integrity: With Arizona bringing extra pressure from the outside, Simmons was tasked with handling a one-on-one pass rush situation. He managed to block out the defender, giving Mahomes enough time to find a secondary option, showcasing his ability to protect on longer developing routes.

Second Half: Dealing with Increased Pressure

In the second half, as the Cardinals adjusted and began dialing up more complex blitzes, Simmons faced a new challenge. Arizona’s defensive coordinator switched things up, sending more bodies to pressure Mahomes, and Simmons had to be more precise with his technique. There were a few instances where Simmons was caught off-balance or failed to get the optimal hand placement, which allowed defenders to briefly disrupt Mahomes’ timing.

In particular, Arizona’s defensive line exploited a few instances where Simmons struggled with edge rushers, especially when they made quick moves outside to get around him. While Mahomes’ ability to scramble and move within the pocket helped mitigate some of the pressure, there were a couple of plays where Simmons was forced to recover, leading to a slight hesitation in the pocket.

Notable Plays: Key Moments in the Second Half

3rd Quarter Pressure: On a second-and-7, Simmons allowed a defender to get to the outside after a quick inside move, forcing Mahomes to roll out to his left. While Mahomes managed to evade the pressure and find an open receiver, this moment highlighted a weakness in Simmons’ protection on quicker moves.
4th Quarter Protection: Late in the game, when the Chiefs needed to seal the win, Simmons was tested once again by a twist stunt from Arizona’s defensive front. He responded by keeping his feet planted and maintaining solid body positioning, giving Mahomes enough time to throw a key 15-yard completion that moved the chains and helped Kansas City close out the game.

Pass Protection Grade: A Solid but Imperfect Performance

Overall, Josh Simmons did an admirable job in protecting Patrick Mahomes against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite a few hiccups in the second half, Simmons’ performance was largely effective, particularly in the first half when the Chiefs were able to establish an early lead. He gave Mahomes ample time on most passing plays, allowing the offense to execute its scheme and move the ball efficiently.

There were moments of vulnerability, especially when Arizona increased the pressure, but Simmons’ performance didn’t result in any major game-altering mistakes. His ability to keep Mahomes clean for the majority of the game is a testament to his role in the Chiefs’ offensive line, and he helped maintain the integrity of the pocket for one of the league’s most mobile quarterbacks.

Key Takeaways for Josh Simmons Moving Forward

Consistency is Key: While Simmons showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his lateral movement and engagement against inside rushers, there were times when he was caught out of position. For Simmons to continue his development, staying consistent with his hand placement and footwork will be critical.
Adjusting to Blitzes: Against more aggressive defensive schemes like Arizona’s, Simmons will need to continue working on his ability to read and react quickly to stunts and blitzes. This is an area where Mahomes’ quick thinking and mobility can cover up some weaknesses, but the offensive line must always remain a step ahead of the defense.
Confidence in the Pocket: One of the most important things for an offensive lineman protecting a quarterback like Mahomes is trust. As Simmons builds more chemistry with his line, particularly in tight game situations, his ability to confidently handle rushers will be key to Mahomes’ success.

Conclusion: A Solid Performance for Simmons and the Chiefs

In a game that tested the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line, Josh Simmons held his own. While there were moments of pressure and mishaps, Simmons’ overall performance was a net positive for Mahomes and the Chiefs. As the season progresses, the Chiefs will need Simmons to continue to develop and maintain his consistency in order to give Mahomes the protection he needs to make plays and lead the team to victory. With continued development, Simmons could be one of the keys to Kansas City’s offensive success in 2025.