Slow start can become fast finish for Chiefs
Remember the ugly Super Bowl of nine months ago?
The Chiefs had no chance to compete, much less beat Tampa Bay, simply because their blockers couldn’t protect Patrick Mahomes.
Team leaders responded well, adding four new blockers and fixing the line. It’s now a stable unit.
Sunday’s game in Kansas City displayed a second reversal that showed Andy Reid’s retooled program — unfazed by a sloppy first half to this season — has a realistic shot to host a fourth consecutive AFC championship game and play in a third straight Super Bowl.
The Chiefs rode pass-rush waves instead of getting clobbered by them, and claimed their best win of the season.
A defense led by tackle Chris Jones hounded Dak Prescott, stole the ball three times and allowed no touchdowns to the NFL’s top scoring offense.
Final score: Chiefs 19, Cowboys
The groans elicited by Kansas City’s defensive surge, which goes back four games, weren’t limited to Cowboys players and coaches.
Having seen the Chiefs win the past six AFC West races, the Chargers would’ve welcomed Kansas City’s Super Bowl blues and hangover persisting through the 2021 season and into 2022.
The Chargers benefited from K.C.’s sloppy start to this season. Under a rookie head coach, they won the Week 3 game at Arrowhead Stadium (where Justin Herbert outplayed Mahomes) and saw K.C. commit the most turnovers in the NFL through seven games. The Chiefs’ 3-4 start left Team Spanos, then 4-2, ahead by a game and a half.
The Buffalo Bills benefited nearly the same: winning at Kansas City and leading the Chiefs by two games through Week 7.
No one with a clue counted out the Chiefs, but by winning four straight games as others faltered, they’re at 7-4 and trail only the Titans (8-3) and Ravens (7-3) in the AFC race for a wild card-round bye.
An improved pass rush has bolstered a defense that in those four games allowed averages of 11.8 points and 294 yards.
It begins with Jones, who defeated Cowboys interior blockers and affected Prescott.
As disruptive as end Joey Bosa has been for his team since beginning his NFL journey in San Diego, the better career among 2016 draft colleagues and AFC West stars belongs to Jones, who went 34 picks after Bosa was the first non-QB chosen.
That’s because where Bosa does most of his damage from the line’s flanks, Jones rushes from mostly between the offensive tackles.
Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s
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track record argued against reading much into K.C.’s defensive struggles early this season.
Spagnuolo plays the long game in most years, allowing for growing pains as he teaches a more sophisticated system.
Once again, his Chiefs D is improving faster compared with most other defenses.
Linebacker Nick Bolton is having a promising rookie year, and lately, 2020 draftee Willie Gay has provided speed and playmaking similar to what the Chargers envisioned from Kenneth Murray when they invested two premium picks in him in the same draft.
Sticky pass defense from cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed, 24, and Charvarius Ward, 25, fueled Prescott’s rough afternoon (three turnovers
and a Total Quarterback Rating of 10.0). The Cowboys lacked receiver Amari Cooper, and receiver
CeeDee Lamb departed midway through the game with a concussion.
Still not back to warp
speed on offense, the Chiefs had two more giveaways.
But the winds in the AFC appear mostly favorable to them.
Tennessee will be without its best offensive player, running back Derrick Henry, for several more weeks and has seen its offense run cold without him.
The Ravens (7-3) haven’t fully offset losing their top four running backs to injury. While the Patriots (7-4) have evolved into the AFC’s most consistent and sound performer, the Bills (6-4) on Sunday lost for the third time when favored by a touchdown or more.
The Chargers continue to enjoy excellent health among their star players, and can sweep K.C. with a victory Dec. 16.
The AFC race appears as wide open as the Great Plains surrounding Kansas City, but a demonstrated ability to solve problems gives the Chiefs an edge over most of the field.