when Kansas City Chiefs George Karlaftis made his first-round pick near the end of the first night of the 2022 NFL Draft, and general manager Brett Veach indicated it was a bet on his potential and future. “He is young, relentless, truly dedicated to his craft.” Fitch said at the time. “Everyone at Bordeaux said he had his best football ahead of him.”
What Karlaftis did in the fourth quarter on Saturday vs Houston Texas He is proof that the pass rusher delivers on that promise.
Karlaftis had a hat-trick of sacks in the final frame against the Texans, helping the Chiefs to their seventh straight AFC Championship game. Those three sacks represent a new career best for the pass rushers, who have recorded eight sacks this season.
The AFC title games are all Karlaftis has known since entering the league.
His first sack of Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud came at a pivotal moment in the contest. With the Chiefs leading 20-12, the Texans offense faced a fourth-and-10 situation on the Kansas City 40-yard line. With just over ten minutes remaining, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans left his offense on the field, hoping to extend the drive.
Karlaftis had other ideas:
Houston lines up with three receivers on the right, leaving tight end Dalton Schultz alone on the left, across from Karlaftis. With standout defender Chris Jones aligned on the edge opposite Karlaftis, Houston moved the protection toward him and away from Karlaftis.
That leaves the third-year pass rusher going one-on-one against a tight end, and Karlaftis beats Schultz with a quick rip move, before going after Stroud for his first sack of the night. The Texans gave up 16 yards — and possession of the football — and the Chiefs were set up with stunning field position to start their next drive. While they would end up punting, the sack from Karlaftis completely upended the field position battle.
His second sack came later in the quarter, as the Texans faced a first-and-10 in their own territory. On this play, Karlaftis first ran through a slice of Schultz on the right side of the offense, before beating rookie right tackle Blake Fisher with a quick move to the outside:
That play was the first offensive snap of the drive. Last attack shot for this engine? Another bag of Karlaftis:
This play is a great example of a cat-and-mouse game that occurs before the snap. Before the play, the Chiefs showed pressure, as linebackers Nick Bolton and Drew Tranquille walked on the blitz. Seeing this, Stroud checks the line, which involves adjusting the protection and bringing Schultz – who was aligned wide – into the formation.
This puts Schultz on the other side of Karlaftys.
However, Kansas City did not blitz, instead sending just four after Stroud. But it was enough. As seen in the first snap, the pass rusher beats the tight end with a rip move, then fights through the running back to get to Stroud for his third sack of the night.
Trailing by 11 points, Ryans sent his field goal team into the game. But that kick was blocked, effectively ending any threat of a comeback.
The Chiefs are back in the AFC Championship game, the third of Karlaftis’ young career. His career-best effort, which came in the fourth quarter, is a big reason why.
And more evidence that he is keeping the promise he made to leaders in 2022.
