In the NFL, great regular seasons can boost player roles, pay bonuses – and lead to trophies and all the loot that comes with them. The regular season is important, but great Postseason The shows represent legends, creating moments etched in the minds of millions for years to come.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton capped a stellar 2022 season by turning a memorable postseason that directly impacted the team’s career into power. Being in the right place at the right time helped Bolton separate itself from its contemporaries, and this was amplified during the Chiefs postseason run.
early influence
Bolton had a phenomenal season in 2022, but – as detailed in Part Two of this series – struggled to cover passes at times. It’s not the end of all thing to assess a fullback’s play, but deep coverage was not where Bolton was most comfortable, and most teams were familiar with it.
Early in the divisional round, it was Jacksonville Jaguars seemed to challenge him.
Lawrence pumps the ball and scouts the ball. He wants to hit WR as he goes down the road, but Bolton returns the acceleration and almost comes up with an interception. A big second effort on the play to force a fourth down. pic.twitter.com/5V5oDH7vNa
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 21, 2023
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence quickly concludes that his initial read is not open, and uses a fake pump to extend the play. As he sprinted, he found Jamal Agnew fast through the middle. At first, Agnew seemed to have found the hole, but at the last second, Poulton came flying in to break up the pass.
Lawrence knew that this secondary road would likely favor the faster Agnew, and he did a good job of accelerating out of the turn on his way. What they didn’t calculate was Bolton going into second gear to get to the ball.
This play occurred when the game was scoreless, but the Chiefs Seven-point margin of victory (27-20) He explains that this was more important to the overall outcome of the game than meets the eye. When accounting for an ankle injury to Patrick Mahomes that slowed offensive production, this opening three and a meaningful layoff was in the game’s final score. Bolton also went on to recover a fumble late in the game, setting the stage for the long postseason.
theatrical
Poulton’s talent for making big plays at key moments was shown in the biggest game of the year. With the Chiefs trailing by seven points to Philadelphia EaglesBolton will make the most important play of his career.
It hurts in the empty. KC with 5 on LOS. 65 picks, but falls back to 56. It hurts one-on-one with Poulton and shows some hesitation but decides to bounce the play. Bolton did not attack immediately, but rather played slowly. The ball slips, and the rest is history. pic.twitter.com/uMCEHVcIok
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 27, 2023
From the empty set, the Eagles want the Chiefs to think they pass the ball before the snap, which leads to a Hurts quarterback lead on third down. The middle of the field is wide open, which means if the Eagles offensive line gets blocked against the Chiefs, it could be a huge gain.
Hurt He had a tremendous game (And the 2022 season in general). He’s tough as nails and has seen the best the NFC has to offer, but now he’s entering Bolton’s field. One of the best offensive linebackers in the game, Bolton was biased on the line of scrimmage heading in on Lyn Johnson.
On the snap, Bolton flashed to the B-gap, and Johnson initially reversed the line before dropping back to foul George Carlaftis.
Had Bolton attacked first, Johnson probably would have thwarted him, creating a huge hole and leaving Carlaftis in space against Hurts. Bolton remained patient, and Johnson had no way of knowing what Hurts would do. Set up one-on-one in gap B.
Hurts wanted to run him down the middle, but when Poulton loomed between the line for a win, Hurts became indecisive, and it cost him. When he was looking to switch the ball from left-handed to right-handed and bounce in a run, it slid freely and – and with some good old luck – bounced perfectly back to Bolton. After 36 yards it was a tie game.
This play kept the Eagles from going up by several points early on and ended up being key to the game’s final score.
station
Bolton’s goals and score will forever remain in football history, but it wasn’t his only game that changed his momentum in the game.
14 with the head beginning to pull out of motion. 88 with the road while the WR’s cleared open space. Bolton quickly recognizes the 14 and hurries to close the space and make the play. He initiates communication and gathers his teammates. 3 huge bottom stops. pic.twitter.com/9XdEk8CnrT
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 27, 2023
After the Chiefs scored on their opening possession of the second half, the Eagles marched down the field and were in position to score.
On third down and 11 in the red, the Eagles looked to take advantage of Bolton’s space. Running back Kenneth Ginwill was dragging down the Eagles’ wide receivers, and tight end Dallas Goedert was running a middle route designed to pick Bolton.
The Eagles want Gainwell in space to get a first down—or get close enough to sneak him on fourth and short. Hurts can catch the pass.
While Goedert is their closest threat, Bolton was signaled at the last second by Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. — who was bumped by safety Justin Reed — to go cover the apartment. The chain reaction was just in time, and despite being in space, Bolton collected Gainwell and brought him down.
The Eagles elected to take a field goal, putting them up 27-21. This will be the last time they will be in the lead. The Chiefs’ ferocious offense scored 24 points in the second half, but a Bolton stop on third down on third down kept the game to one possession and helped spark a mid-game rush from the defense as the Eagles would claim their next possession.
Although the Eagles would eventually tie the game in the fourth quarter, this stop was still a major key in the outcome of the game. Bolton’s influence on the Chiefs has been consistent throughout the season, so it stands to reason that his plays have had a massive impact on the larger stage.