The timing of this is a little strange since the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line was pretty much dominated last week against the Oakland Raiders but they're up for a yearly award. John Madden's Most Valuable Protectors award highlights the most valuable offensive line in football and the Chiefs are one of five finalists.
Other finalists include the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.
Hmm...which one of those is unlike the other? That would be the Giants, who were the only team of those five not to earn a playoff spot (but they had a 10-win season anyway).
Here's the criteria to become a finalist in addition to Madden's own observations: sacks allowed, rushing and passing yardage, time of possession, O-line penalties, 3rd and 4th down conversion percentagesand red zone scoring conversions.
It was only two short years ago that you could make the case for the Chiefs having the worst offensive line. Now they are -- at the very least -- in the conversation for best in the NFL. Pretty cool.
Since we specialize in rigging votes around here, hop on over to NFL.com and vote for the Chiefs.