Chiefs have one key advantage against Vikings in Week 5
The Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) are getting set to hit the road and face the Minnesota Vikings (1-3) in Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season. Records would indicate the Chiefs have a clear advantage heading into this week, but they can be deceptive. Minnesota has a ton of talent on the offensive side of the […]
The Kansas City Chiefs (3-1) are getting set to hit the road and face the Minnesota Vikings (1-3) in Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season.
Records would indicate the Chiefs have a clear advantage heading into this week, but they can be deceptive. Minnesota has a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and Kansas City is certainly aware of Vikings DC Brian Flores and his tendencies.
The Chiefs, however, do have one key advantage heading into this week. It has to do with their defense, defensive personnel, and the tendencies of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Through four games this season, the Chiefs have the sixth-most pressures in the NFL. That includes a full game where star DT Chris Jones didn't play because of a contract-related holdout.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has been pressured on nearly 28% of his dropbacks this season, good for the fifth-most in the league behind Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, Jets QB Zach Wilson, Seahawks QB Geno Smith, and Giants QB Daniel Jones. Cousins is completing less than 50% of his passes under pressure with just 20 complete passes on 43 attempts per Pro Football Focus, yet he has seven touchdown passes when pressured, which is good for the most in the NFL.
Cousins has been blitzed 49 times this season, which ranks as the fourth-most in the NFL. Spagnuolo has unleashed the blitz on 35% of their defensive snaps this season, a total of 55 times, which is good for the sixth-most in the league. Why have teams been blitzing Cousins at such a high rate? He's been sacked 10 times, which ranks 12th in the league through four games played.
Sure, it's a bit of a gamble to send extra players against Cousins because it means you're leaving players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockensen in single coverage, which has resulted in a lot of big plays for Minnesota. However, if there's a team that has the horses to match up in those situations, it's the Chiefs.
Kansas City has allowed just four touchdowns all season, and one of those touchdowns came on a fluke play where a player slipped on a helmet. They're not going to be greedy when it comes to the blitz. Spags will pick his spots to use it, but there's no doubt that this crew should be able to create a pressure advantage come Sunday, whether they utilize the blitz frequently or not.
Chiefs secure new ‘ChampionShip’ months before Super Bowl
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