DC Steve Spagnulo credits underrated unit of Chiefs' defense for setting the tone for its success
The Kansas City Chiefs' defense is coming off its best performance of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's unit allowed just 224 total yards, including only 55 on the ground. Entering the game, the Chargers had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL led by J.K. Dobbins, but […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' defense is coming off its best performance of the season against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's unit allowed just 224 total yards, including only 55 on the ground. Entering the game, the Chargers had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL led by J.K. Dobbins, but the Chiefs held him to a lowly 2.3 yards per carry.
Kansas City has been dominant against the run in 2024, specifically against running backs, surrendering the least amount of yards to the position in the league. When you think about who anchors the success of the Chiefs' defense, you probably first think of tackle Chris Jones or cornerback Trent McDuffie. While that's certainly true, Spagnuolo gave credit to his linebacker corps for setting the tone against the run.
“Every game’s different, right?" Spagnuolo said while speaking to the media on Friday. "So, you hope that continues. I think the guys are playing like that (locks fingers), I think the chemistry and being lock and step is really important. I just got asked a similar question by (Defensive Line Coach) Joe(Cullen) and I do think the fact that our linebackers play aggressively downhill helps us, too. I think it helps the (defensive) lineman in front of them. If we can keep doing that and making sure we don’t give up – you know, the thing that’s kind of bit us a little bit is a couple of explosive passes here and there and that would kind of get the offense going. We were doing pretty good and then (Chargers QB) Justin (Herbert) hit that slant to the slot there and Chamarri (Conner) was trying to – thank God Bryan Cook ran him down but if we can eliminate those plays and keep playing run defense like that then we can get them in longer third downs and try to have some success.”
Linebackers Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal have done a great job of pursuing ball carries and tackling well. Even if running backs get through the defensive line, the linebackers are coming downhill so quickly that there's nowhere really to go. RBs aren't having success going laterally against them either, as proven by the Chiefs' big fourth down stop against the Atlanta Falcons that sealed the game.
The Chiefs' defense isn't perfect, needing improvement in coverage against tight ends and surrendering big passing plays in general. It also needs to get to the quarterback more often, ranking 23rd in sacks after finishing second last year.
However, Kansas City's defense is still a very good unit that has carried the team so far this season, much like it did last year. It will face another good offense with a top tier rushing attack on Monday night as the New Orleans Saints come to town.
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They won a lot of games together.
