Chiefs’ defense has them on top of AFC West
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes has been trying to convince everyone that the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has been playing better. Hard to dispute it now. What was one of the worst defenses in the NFL — and maybe Chiefs history — the first six weeks of the season showed just how stout it has become on Sunday. Kansas City held the NFL-leading Cowboys’ offense to 276 yards, sacked Dak Prescott five times and picked him off twice, and kept Dallas out of the end zone entirely in a 19-9 victory.
“Ever since the second half of the Tennessee game those guys have been playing better,” Mahomes said. “It got lost because the offense wasn’t playing well that we were winning games because of the defense. To go up against an offense like that, that’s put up so many yards and points, and to shut it down was something else.”
Make no mistake: The Chiefs’ offense still isn’t playing consistently well.
Mahomes was held to 260 yards while throwing an interception and losing a fumble.
The Chiefs went 4 of 12 on third downs and managed 370 yards of their own. The running game, even with the return of Clyde Edwards-Helaire from his injury, was frequently bottled up by the Cowboys on a chilly evening at Arrowhead Stadium.
So it was a good thing for AFC West-leading Kansas City (7-4) that the defense showed up again.
Chris Jones had 31/2 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered one, continuing his dominance since moving from the edge back to his more natural position at defensive tackle. Frank Clark added a sack and three quarterback hits as he begins to live up to his gaudy contract. Charvarius Ward and L’Jarius Sneed picked off passes, and Sneed had three passes defended, made a tackle for loss, and seemed to be everywhere the Cowboys tried to go Sunday night.
It was a far cry from the defense that gave up at least 430 yards and 30 points in four of the first five games.
“They’ve had to work for this,” Chiefs Coach Andy Reid said, “and I think when you have to really work for something and bear down, I think you enjoy it a little bit more and you’re not resting on what happened before, but you’ve earned this right here with the knot in the stomach and the ups and downs. So, you earn every one of these.
“I think that’s where we’re at right now,” Reid continued, “and they like each other. They’re getting to know each other better and I think they like each other, so playing hard for one another.”
The Chiefs finally get their long-awaited bye this week. Then they return to face three straight divisional opponents with the Broncos and Raiders first up at Arrowhead Stadium. It’s a streak that should help to decide the AFC West race.