Chiefs' 2023 defense is off to one best starts in franchise history
During the 2023 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs boast perhaps their best defense during QB Patrick Mahomes' tenure as a starter. Week 7 was more evidence of that fact as the defense held the Los Angeles Chargers scoreless in the second half of their 31-17 win. Through seven games to start the season, only […]
During the 2023 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs boast perhaps their best defense during QB Patrick Mahomes' tenure as a starter. Week 7 was more evidence of that fact as the defense held the Los Angeles Chargers scoreless in the second half of their 31-17 win.
Through seven games to start the season, only one team in the NFL has held each of their opponents to 21 points or less in every game.
That team: The Chiefs.
There is little doubt that this group that DC Steve Spagnuolo has assembled is really good, but how exactly do they stack up against the best defenses in franchise history? Right now, they're tied with the 1999 and 2007 Chiefs for the fifth-longest streak of holding opponents to 21 points or less in franchise history.
In fact, only four Chiefs defenses have amassed more consecutive games holding opponents to 21 points or less. The 1968 Chiefs defense, soon-to-be Super Bowl IV champions featuring several Hall of Famers, held eight consecutive opponents to 21 points or less. Just a few years later in 1971, post-Super Bowl win, they held ten-straight teams to 21 points or less to start the season.
Surprisingly, Andy Reid's first year in Kansas City saw the Chiefs' defense hold nine-straight teams to 21 points or less as well. That group featured the likes of Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Eric Berry, and Brandon Flowers.
Finally, the 1991, K.C. had another defense that held ten consecutive opponents to 21 points or less. Teams averaged just 15.8 points per game against that team, which featured players like Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith, Albert Lewis, Kevin Ross, and Deron Cherry.
The 2023 defense will have a chance to extend their streak to eight games in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos. Perhaps their toughest test so far will come in Week 9 when they travel to Frankfurt, Germany to face the Miami Dolphins. They currently lead the NFL with a staggering 34.3 points per game average after dropping 70 points against the Broncos in Week 3.
Latest information on Chiefs WR Justyn Ross’ arrest
The charges against Kansas City Chiefs WR Justyn Ross have been reduced to misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal damage.
