Dee Ford is six QB pressures ahead of the rest of the NFL’s edge rushers, says PFF

Each week, Pro Football Focus shares some notes from the Kansas City Chiefs’ previous game as part of something it calls PFF Insights. This week, the Chiefs are coming off a 30-23 victory over the division-rival Denver Broncos.

The offensive line is playing a critical role in the success of Patrick Mahomes, who threw for another four touchdowns on Sunday against Denver.

PFF: When given a clean pocket, Mahomes is dominating defenses this seasons, with 1,827 yards, (6th most in the NFL) 22 touchdowns (most in the NFL) and a 136.3 passer rating (highest in the NFL).

PFF also reports that Mahomes’ pocket is clean on only 65.3 percent of his drop-backs, just 21st highest in the NFL. That is in due part to the injuries to starting center Mitch Morse (concussion) and starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (fractured fibula). Center Austin Reiter and right guard Andrew Wylie filled in last game.

Outside linebacker Dee Ford continued to make his case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year against the Broncos on Sunday, tallying 3.0 sacks. PFF graded him a 92.5 in the game.

PFF: On 33 pass rushing snaps vs the Broncos, Ford had eight total pressures, three sacks and five quarterback hurries. Ford’s 44 total pressures as an edge rusher are the most in the NFL among edge rushers, six more than Eagles edge rusher Brandon Graham, who is in second with 38.

Ford talked about his ability to strip the quarterback after the game Sunday.

“We’ve all known the technique it’s just a matter of getting better at it and executing,” Ford said. “We all worked at it since college—maybe high school. The way this league has gone, the evolution of football, we are working it in high school. It’s just a matter of execution and just being more efficient.”

Other Chiefs notes from PFF for Week 8

• The highest graded Chiefs offensive player against the Broncos was wide receiver Sammy Watkins (82.5). 55 of Watkins’ 107 yards came after the catch on Sunday. PFF reports Mahomes has a 123.8 passer rating when throwing to Watkins this season.
• Defensive lineman Chris Jones graded well (76.7) against the Broncos, too. Jones totaled six total pressures, one sack, one quarterback hit and four quarterback hurries against Case Keenum and the Broncos. Jones’ 29 total pressures are tied for fifth most in the NFL among interior defenders.