Chiefs vs. Commanders: How Washington Stacks Up Against Super Bowl Squad
While the Washington Commanders continue to build toward future success, the Kansas City Chiefs will be competing in Super Bowl LVII this weekend.
Because of the difference in season results, not many would contend the Commanders are a more talented team than the Chiefs specifically.
But the gap in talent may not be as wide as we might expect between a Super Bowl participant and a non-playoff team.
Thanks to a defense that lived up to some of the 2021 hype it failed to then, there's at least one-half of Washington's starting roster that stands up well when compared to Kansas City's.
The Chiefs' defensive unit ranked ahead of the Commanders' in total yards, rushing yards, and passing yards per play, but not so much so that there was any more than a four-spot rankings difference between the two.
Kansas City also finished ahead of Washington in interception rate, but by just .03 percent, and finished just one spot ahead in sacks per pass attempt.
Meanwhile, the Commanders performed better in first downs allowed, third down conversions, red zone and goal-to-go percentages, and points allowed per game.
Taking it to a position group view, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is likely the only player just about everyone would agree could upgrade a current starting player in Washington.
Although, the L'Jarius Sneed conversation could get interesting when comparing him to one of the Commanders' current starting cornerbacks.
Where the Chiefs have a clear advantage is on offense.
Clearly, Washington doesn't have a quarterback the caliber of Patrick Mahomes currently on the roster.
But Chris Russell of the Locked On Commanders podcast pointed to another position group where the talent divide is significantly wide.
"The one area that I look at in terms of the biggest gap right now...is the Chiefs' offensive line," Russell said. "Which features - in my opinion at least - four starters that are better than what the Commanders have."
Russell also brought up the difference between Kansas City's offensive line today, and the one they fielded in Super Bowl LV when they were defeated easily by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In that Super Bowl, Kansas City was forced to go with a makeshift line that featured a large portion of rotational places due to mounting and consistent injuries.
And that is something we've seen Washington have to deal with over the past two seasons at least.
Only one member of that wounded line is still a starter with the Chiefs today, that being right tackle Andrew Wylie.
In the two years since that embarrassing loss to the Bucs, Kansas City has made wholesale changes to its offensive line using the NFL Draft, free agency, and leveraging the right trades to do so.
Taking a similar approach to improving its own offensive line won't bridge the gap in quarterback talent, but could certainly improve the play up front, and give the Commanders a more competitive roster than it has today.
Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.
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