In Victory Over Titans, Chiefs Display New Defensive Attitude

Another game against the Tennessee Titans proved to be another gritty matchup for the Kansas City Chiefs in this specific head-to-head meeting. Kansas City found ways to emerge victorious this time around. However, it was also an ugly performance in many moments. The Chiefs are able to keep pace with the Buffalo Bills with this victory and a Buffalo loss on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes created many plays out of nothing and came up clutch when necessary. Yet, it was the finish of the Chiefs defense and the fight that Kansas City showed late against a physical Tennessee offensive attack that stood out the most.

Kansas City was able to spark some momentum with the energy of their defensive front seven. As a result, that is where we will place our focus in the FPC Chiefs Week 9 reaction article. Namely, the Chiefs defensive line started to wear down the Titans in crucial spots. That appeared to be just what KC needed, following getting punched in the mouth early on by Derrick Henry. Why was this second half defensive performance so inspiring for the Chiefs? Let’s kick it off.

Kansas City’s Physicality Gives Tennessee A Taste Of Their Own Medicine

In the second half and overtime combined, Tennessee ran 27 offensive plays and gained just seven total yards, according to Matt Verderame of FanSided. Of course, the Titans were starting a rookie quarterback who is nowhere near ready to start in the NFL. Everyone in the building knew that the passing game was going to be used sparingly. In the end, it was the newfound physicality that Kansas City added this offseason that made the difference in the second half and in overtime.

Simply put, the Chiefs were able to win leverage battles at the line of scrimmage, get into the backfield at an alarming rate and had more effort late than the Titans did. Defensively, Kansas City had not possessed that fight and attitude late in games in the past. That speaks volumes for a revamped, younger defense. The Chiefs have been able to rely on many different faces and newly minted leaders, to boot.

This shows up on vital downs. This shows up on early downs. More importantly, the Chiefs are allowing all of these defenders to be themselves. Allowing them to go out and play to their strengths is similar to how the Titans conduct business. Instead of relying solely on Chris Jones or other veterans, each player is sticking to their role and doing their job. In the end, Kansas City is able to go blow for blow with commanding teams like this more often now. With the mix of energy, physicality and speed that the Chiefs have defensively, they are more well-equipped for these knock-down drag-out battles.

Fundamentally Sound

It should not be understated how much better Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been, when it comes to in-game adjustments this year. Throughout this season, Kansas City has been able to get off the field earlier in the second half and have been fundamentally sound. Outside of a few slip-ups, Spagnuolo has relatively been quick to throw more tricks at opposing offenses and quarterbacks alike. We know that Spags can dial up well-timed blitzes. We also know that this Chiefs team eventually finds a late-season groove defensively.

Yet, Kansas City has shown to have learned quicker from their past mistakes on defense. This showed up late last night as a run defense. The Chiefs defensive line was able to deconstruct off of blocks with more urgency. On the flip side, Nick Bolton and Willie Gay were confident in what they were reading at linebacker. This shows the growth that both linebackers have seen as run defenders, in terms of timing and confidence.

Can Chiefs Continue To Ride This Wave?

We have seen some units of the Chiefs go up and down during this season. Specifically on offense, the offensive line has endured a major roller coaster all season long. Defensively, Kansas City started the season hot as a run defense and as a pass rush. That has not always been the case under Spagnuolo’s tutelage, at least at the start of the season. Will they be able to build off of this late-game performance against the Titans as a defense moving forward?

For starters, the Chiefs are going to be faced with more dynamic rushing attacks in the second half of the season. Can Kansas City rally, work and finish consistently against top rushing backs like Travis Etienne, Austin Ekeler, Joe Mixon, Kenneth Walker III and others? Moreover, how will these younger defensive pieces continue to grow for the Chiefs? This team may not be winning pretty every single week. Nonetheless, the formula and adjustments being made are certainly sustainable for Kansas City, especially as a defense.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.