Embed from Getty Images
Throughout the season, the Chiefs defense has endured ups and downs. Kansas City has seen rookie defenders grow. At the same time, new leaders have emerged on defense, hoping to fill the shoes that were left open by recent departures. The Chiefs will rarely be seen as the better defense in most matchups. However, 2022 was one of their better years, in terms of results and various areas of production.
There are different questions that the Chiefs defense faces during these current playoffs. That can vary, depending on which area of the defense that you look towards. Though, there is one aspect of the Kansas City defense that will face a massive test in the AFC Championship Game. That would be the middle of the Chiefs defense.
This is not including only the second level of the defensive unit. KC is set to face a tremendous battle from the defensive tackles and linebackers, all the way back to the safety group. Those spots were unable to thwart the Cincinnati Bengals whatsoever in this year’s regular season meeting, to put it nicely. How will they look to adjust this time around? Plus, can the Chiefs create enough momentum on defense and come through against the best of the best? Let’s kick it off.
Revisiting Recent Mistakes Vs Bengals Offense
If you look back at some of the defensive mistakes from the most recent meeting against the Bengals, there were many fundamental gaffes and mental errors. Kansas City was caught out of position in coverage on multiple occasions. The Chiefs safety duo of Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill displayed poor eye and feet discipline. In addition, the two defensive backs struggled to maintain proper body positioning, leverage and failed to recognize play designs. That did not help when Kansas City could not create any pressure against Joe Burrow. Finally, the missed tackles in space spoke for themselves.
Kansas City also seemed to get overwhelmed at linebacker. Nick Bolton and Willie Gay have each blossomed into above average players. Yet, there are still some learning curves and speed bumps that arise in crucial situations. Bolton was caught in no man’s land on multiple occasions in the regular season game against Cincinnati. Specifically in the passing game, the Missouri product struggled to gain adequate depth and was sometimes scrambling on trying to find either a man or the football. Gay had a couple of nice plays late in that earlier contest, including a pass deflection when the Chiefs were inside their own territory. Nevertheless, it is important for Gay to keep a level head and remain disciplined for all four quarters. Honing in his instincts in the open field is improving. But, it must be sharp against the Bengals in this upcoming AFC Championship Game.
How Can Chiefs Adjust In Middle Of Defense?
There may not be a perfect answer to defending the Bengals and Burrow in the middle of the field. However, there are a few possible ideas that could get Kansas City rolling and keep them within reach of Cincinnati all game long. First and foremost, you may see the Chiefs increase their blitz calls early and often. We saw them do just that in last week’s Divisional Round win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Multiple pressures on Trevor Lawrence forced a three-and-out on Jacksonville’s first drive. Most of all, Kansas City could look to bring their pressure up the middle in the A or B gaps. Burrow can escape pressure if necessary. But if you can slice through the protection up the middle, Kansas City forces him to get the ball off immediately.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Elsewhere, it would not behoove the Chiefs to move around their defensive backs, especially the safeties. Reid has truly found his groove late in the season, when utilizing more of a downhill, attacking role. If the former Houston Texan can offer looks as a robber or shade in the middle of the field and closer to the line of scrimmage, that may force Cincinnati to go deep through the air. Burrow can still be dangerous deep. Though, this Bengals group is used to working in quick hitters in the short to intermediate passing game.
Perhaps, the Chiefs look to increase their speed on defense, by playing in the dime package. By getting six defensive backs on the field, Kansas City can rotate and mix coverages. It could also lead to the Chiefs throwing different disguises at Burrow from snap to snap. Essentially, Kansas City cannot just stay in the same base defense all game, like they did in this year’s regular season meeting in Cincinnati.
Can Kansas City Create Defensive Splash Plays, Once Again?
Embed from Getty Images
It showed up last week in the Divisional Round against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The turnovers, the sacks and the pressure were all major sticking points for the Chiefs defense in that playoff victory. Kansas City may have given up their fair share of chunk gains through the air or on the ground between the 20s. Overall, this defense stepped up when it mattered most. That is especially true for stops in their own territory, as well as occasional third down stands.
We know that Kansas City finished second in the league in sacks during the regular season, with a total of 55. There were plenty of plays early in the season in which the Chiefs created a hurry or a pressure. For whatever reason, it took a while for this unit to finish those opportunities on the quarterback consistently. As mentioned above, they did not generate an ounce of pressure on Burrow in this year’s regular season meeting. That was one of only a few times where that happened for Kansas City in a single game this season. While Burrow may not have the dynamic movement skills and elusiveness of other passers, his pocket awareness and maneuvering within it is elite.
Lastly, the turnovers are an item that seemed rare to obtain throughout stretches of the season. Kansas City truly went through a dry spell in that regard during the middle portion of the year. On the other hand, it is not easy to generate many takeaways against the Bengals offense. Cincinnati had just 18 giveaways this season, the fourth lowest amount in the entire NFL. If the Chiefs have opportunities to create takeaways, they will have to take advantage immediately.
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.
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Ep. 92: Lamar University Head Baseball Coach Will Davisby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Kings at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 5, 2023 at 8:00 pm
-
Nuggets at Timberwolvesby Broken Controller Media on February 5, 2023 at 7:15 pm
-
Raptors at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on February 5, 2023 at 6:30 pm
-
76ers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 5, 2023 at 5:30 pm
-
Cavaliers at Pacersby Broken Controller Media on February 5, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primerby Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
-
Magic at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on February 5, 2023 at 3:30 pm
-
Hawks at Nuggetsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm