Don't let one false narrative about the Chiefs' defense fool you, they are legit
Last week, one player on the Cincinnati Bengals tried to start a false narrative about the Kansas City Chiefs that is just not true. And it's not that big of a deal, as it's just some friendly trash talk in a highly anticipated rivalry. However, it's still not true.Ja'Marr Chase, who I want to mention […]
Last week, one player on the Cincinnati Bengals tried to start a false narrative about the Kansas City Chiefs that is just not true. And it's not that big of a deal, as it's just some friendly trash talk in a highly anticipated rivalry. However, it's still not true.
Ja'Marr Chase, who I want to mention as one of the best receivers in the game, said that the Chiefs' secondary wasn't good. He said that they didn't do anything special and doubled all games every game.
"If I'm being honest, nothing," Chase told reporters in the locker room. "They just know how to play us; they know the leverages; they know what splits we are in. They know what we're going to do in certain moments. They throw a few double-doubles at us to stop the two best players on our side, and that's all they do. I mean, it's not really like they got a Jalen Ramsey on the squad."
That's just not true. Well, at least it wasn't true for the game on Sunday.
L'Jarius Sneed has looked like one of the best cornerbacks in the league this season. He has yet to allow a touchdown this year and matches up against the other team's best receiver every game. Against the Bengals, he proved that narrative to be wrong. In fact, he made Chase eat his words.
According to Next Gen Stats, Sneed aligned across from Chase on 21 of his 34 routes (61.8%). He allowed two receptions for 27 yards on three targets. It's also important to note that Sneed didn't practice at all this week and still went out and locked up Chase.
Those are the advanced stats, but the players and fans of the Bengals will tell you those stats are so good because Chase was double-teamed. Here's what I'll say:
Chase was doubled three total times of the 34 times Chase ran a route. The first one came early in the game, where Sneed and Justin Reid doubled, and Sneed was playing man with Reid bracketing him. Those two did that another time late in the fourth when the Bengals were in a third-and-long situation.
The Chiefs played a lot of press man with Sneed with help over the top. Sneed made things very difficult for Chase – he was physical off the line (as he always is) and, at times, completely took Chase out of the game. Sometimes, he even ran Chase's route for him.
The Chiefs did some passing off while in the zone with Sneed and Reid. Reid should also get a ton of credit for the work done on Chase. When Chase was passed off, coverage was still great.
Those are the notes I got after watching the All-22 film or the coach's view. The Chiefs played him perfectly, and there is no way around it. And I'd also like to say that doubling a player is not a bad thing. You do what you have to do to win. You take someone out, you take them out. There is no other way around it. The Chiefs just beat the Bengals; it's that simple.
Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed makes Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase eat his words
The Chiefs did what everyone wanted.
