Justin Houston's Absence is Definitely Going to Be a Problem for the Kansas City Chiefs

When the Kansas City Chiefs drafted edge-rusher Dee Ford, general manager Jack Dorsey had some rarely-seen foresight; he spent a first-round pick in anticipation of a need, rather than in reaction.

Today, as elderly Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers shredded Ford and the Justin Houston-less Chiefs defense for 21 first-half points, it became painfully obvious that for a young player to step up and fill a need, he needs to be good:

Dee Ford has been invisible out there. Not exactly Mr. Popular in KC right about now.
— Arrowhead Addict (@ArrowheadAddict) September 11, 2016

With Ford and 32-year-old Tamba Hali generating zero pressure on Rivers, the wily veteran completed all but three of his first-half passes en route to three touchdown drives. Alex Smith and the Chiefs offense tried to play catch-up, but they were painfully one-dimensional without tailback Jamaal Charles.

Smith needed to go downfield, but with the Chargers able to pin their ears back and generate heat, Smith's throws were mincing, tentative, and mostly sideways. Just when the Chiefs needed head coach Andy Reid to dial up some vertical routes, Rivers and the Chargers were the ones taking deep shots—even with top receiver Keenan Allen in the locker room with a potentially serious knee injury:

Based on initial tests, #Chargers believe WR Keenan Allen has suffered a major knee injury. They suspect an ACL tear. Will have more tests
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2016

There's no way to sugar-coat this: The Chiefs need more from Dee Ford, or they need Justin Houston back.

The Chiefs' defense is built to be aggressive, and the Chiefs' offense is built to play with a lead. Corner Marcus Peters and safety Eric Berry can't just shut down the whole field for six seconds per play. If Smith and the offense can't open it up and make use of all the speed they have at receiver and tight end, the Chiefs—a team that could and should be AFC title contenders—are going to continue to struggle unless and until they can once again put consistent heat on the quarterback.

Yes, Smith and the Chiefs eventually got the offense going, roaring back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit and forcing overtime--where they sealed an emotional win.

But the Chargers have been a disaster off the field all offseason long, and might again be one of the league's worst teams. The Chiefs should have outclassed them from the jump, not clawed their way back from a 21-3 hole.

If Smith and the offense can't open it up and make use of all the speed they have at receiver and tight end, the Chiefs—a team that could and should be AFC title contenders—are going to continue to struggle unless and until they can put consistent heat on the quarterback.