Chiefs LB Nick Bolton was not happy about one area the defense struggled with
Even though the Kansas City Chiefs were without their best defensive player in, Chris Jones, the defense did its job, for the most part. They played one of the better games we have seen in the last few years, as they held the Detroit Lions, one of the best offensive teams in the league, to […]
Even though the Kansas City Chiefs were without their best defensive player in, Chris Jones, the defense did its job, for the most part. They played one of the better games we have seen in the last few years, as they held the Detroit Lions, one of the best offensive teams in the league, to just 14 points.
But none of that even matters.
"We lost the football game, and I think that's where you measure yourself at – especially in this league," Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton told the media after the game. Games are won in inches and in a couple of situations down the stretch, and we didn't execute well enough. You can say that we gave up 14 points, and that's a good start and all that, but ultimately we lost the football game. Our goal was to come out of here 1-0 this week, and it didn't happen. Back to the drawing board, the guys will be better and ready to go for Jacksonville."
If there was one thing the defense could have done better, it's closing the game out. Sure, the defense was good all game long until the fourth quarter. That falls on the defensive line when you know the Lions are trying to run the ball.
They are purposely trying to run the ball and run the clock down, and the defensive line has to be better there. The defense also has to be better with their tackling. That was one of the biggest issues.
"I think our biggest problem was tackling leaky yards, yards after contact," Bolton continued. "I understand that they had a couple of gains where a two-yard gain turned into four or five yards after contact and gave them favorable second downs.
"We knew, going into the week, that if we gave them third-and-shorts, that that is like second-and-short for those guys – they're going to go for it with an aggressive mindset. We just have to find a way to get into second-and-longs, third-and-longs, give our d-line a chance to rush the passer and the secondary to cover."
It was the first game of the season for any team. There will be missed tackles; however, 11 missed tackles is unacceptable, especially for a team that is very disciplined defensively. Knowing Bolton, who actually had a great game, and the leader he is, they will attempt to get back in the lab and fix this issue.
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