Chiefs Changes: Where Could KC Improve Entering Playoffs?

Embed from Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs entered 2022 with changes in different aspects. The wide receiver room was completely overhauled. Defensively, the Chiefs got much younger, selecting seven rookie defenders in the 2022 NFL Draft. There were even some changes on the coaching staff, to boot. Kansas City’s additions of defensive line coach Joe Cullen and senior assistant and quarterback’s coach Matt Nagy truly paid dividends in further growing this team as a contender.

Elsewhere, the AFC West was supposed to be a devastating gauntlet. The Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos disappointed massively, though. In the end, the Chiefs swept the entire division throughout the 2022 season, further establishing their dominance over division rivals.

Overall, Kansas City managed to go 14-3 and now have the AFC’s number one seed in their possession. Receiving that only playoff bye in the AFC is crucial for the Chiefs in many reasons. You have to be thrilled to have a shorter path to the Super Bowl than other teams in the conference.

Despite all of that good fortune that Kansas City has entering the playoffs, we did not see them play many complete games over the last month of the season. The Chiefs have to improve in certain areas in order to reach their ultimate goal. Which areas may be most vital in making necessary adjustments? We identified three areas where Kansas City could still improve as the playoffs get underway. Let’s kick it off.

Red Zone Defense

Late in the season, the Chiefs were largely weak as a red zone defense. Kansas City got out of position way too easily with simple pump fakes, RPOs and quarterbacks using their legs to extend plays. Because of that, the eye and feet discipline of the Chiefs’ back seven defenders is worsening a majority of the time. That is especially true in third down situations with Kansas City’s defense in the red zone.

So, what will it take to clean up those mistakes? Better communication and more discipline will be major for this defensive unit in that area of the field. For instance, you have seen the linebackers drop back too far, vacating space for passes to be completed easily underneath. You can see the same issues occur when the defensive backs are chasing routes to the inside, leaving outside leverage available to opposing pass catchers.

There is a tremendous mix of poise, dual-threat ability and size from the opposing quarterbacks in this year’s AFC playoffs. When you take that into consideration, the Chiefs will have to contain quarterbacks urgently when defending in the red zone. Making quick tackles if the passers extend plays outside of the pocket will also be necessary, at the same time.

Offense In Third And Short Situations

In third and long situations, the Chiefs offense is almost automatic. The instincts of Patrick Mahomes, along with his timing, ball placement and anticipation allow Kansas City to hit on longer passes in a wicked and short amount of time, so to speak. Due to his velocity, the Chiefs can simply get plenty of yards vertically by Mahomes using a supersonic release.

It is much more concerning in third and short situations, where Kansas City has been relatively hit or miss. They seem to try to hit on passes quickly, not far beyond the sticks. The Chiefs may also look to hit on immediate strikes at or behind the line of scrimmage. Furthermore, there are other times where the Chiefs seemingly box themselves into a corner. They simply handcuff themselves in third and short situations, more times than not.

In general, the Chiefs may have trouble spacing the field against any and all coverages in that particular down and distance. When looking to run routes to the flats or into the middle of the field, things just look discombobulated from time to time. On top of that, Kansas City seems to get indecisive on if they want to run or pass. And for whatever reason, the Chiefs appear to make things more difficult than they need to be, rather than just getting cheap yards in dirty areas to keep the drive alive.

Special Teams Execution

Embed from Getty Images
It is challenging to know what exact fixes you can make to prevent missed field goals or occasional shanked punts. Yet, the Chiefs have been so blatantly obvious in struggling or not coming through in those spots when the game is seemingly on the line.

On the other hand, Kansas City needs to take a simpler approach to the return game. Isiah Pacheco has done fine as a kick returner this season. However, there are moments where he can be dancing too much in the open field, instead of working north and upfield. In the punt return game, you have to hold your breath on almost any kick. Is it going to be fielded cleanly? Are the blocks going to be there to open up running lanes? Finally, can the Chiefs protect the football after making a clean catch on the return? Kansas City just needs to make it simple and not look for a home run on every special teams rep.

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.