Chiefs' star made a decision that ended up as one of the best in franchise history
The Kansas City defense stepped up on Sunday to do what the Chiefs haven't been able to do in quite some time – beat the Bengals. The offense made plays time and time again. They were the reason there were points on the scoreboard. But, a key part of the win was the defense kept […]
The Kansas City defense stepped up on Sunday to do what the Chiefs haven't been able to do in quite some time – beat the Bengals. The offense made plays time and time again. They were the reason there were points on the scoreboard.
But, a key part of the win was the defense kept points off of the scoreboard. One can even argue it was the key to victory.
The defense did it in every way, too. The young secondary did their part, as they shut down an elite group of wide receivers, making play after play consistently. They didn't allow one player to have over 100 yards receiving, and limited stud WR Ja'Marr Chase to just 75 receiving yards.
That may not seem like a big deal, but Chase has done very well the last few times the he's faced off against the Chiefs. This includes his 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Week 17 last year.
But it wasn't Cincy's receivers that felt the effects of the Chiefs secondary. The Chiefs defensive line were beneficiaries, as well.
“I just think the back end showed up really, really well for us," Chris Jones said. "(They) gave us an extra second to get to the quarterback and the front five – front four played resilient tonight. Those guys just showed up (and) answered the call when needed. Mike Danna, George Karlaftis, Frank Clark – being Frank Clark (and) doing Frank Clark things. He’s moving up in the record books. I think we just played resilient and stopped the run and we were able to get after him.”
Both of Joe Burrow's interceptions came through way of the secondary. One came from rookie Joshua Williams and the other from rookie Jaylen Watson. Both were plays we won't forget anytime soon, either.
And, to make things even better, rookie safety Bryan Cook tipped the ball in the air to Williams.
For Jones to say it was all because of the secondary, though, is very commendable and exactly what good teammates do. The guy was a monster, as he always is, recording two sacks, three tackles for a loss, and five quarterback hits. He has taken a lot of crap because, before this season he hadn't ever had a playoff sack.
But, as we saw this postseason, he used that as fuel.
Jones' performance was accentuated by the fact that he missed two sacks during the same game last year in the fourth quarter. Either would've have helped the Chiefs tremendously, but instead, Jones and his teammates watched the Bengals win and advance to Super Bowl LVI.
“I think I planned for this game – my whole offseason was dedicated to this game," Jones told the media. "I missed a few big plays last year, (it’s) unfortunate they were able to move forward, and I put that on my shoulders. So this offseason, I dedicated my whole offseason to making sure that when that moment calls, for me specifically, I’ll answer the call.”
When Jones was on the field on Sunday, he was the best player. It didn't matter who was on the field for the Bengals offense. If Jones was involved, the play was not going to succeed.
Period.
Jones isn't wrong when he says his success is because of his teammates. But just once, one of the most humble guys in the league needs to recognize that he is just that good. He is that guy, and he was on Sunday.
So much so that he made a call, a call only a guy like him could make, and it worked to perfection.
"On the last play of the drive, I switched Carlos at the last minute because I've seen they had a tight end at the line of scrimmage," said Jones. "They showed me that look earlier in the game and they both came down on me, the tackle, and a guard. So I knew that either I was going to have a one-on-one with the tight end most likely or the tight end was going out and I was gonna have a one-on-one with the tackle.
"And I just took advantage of that."
But, as you just saw, Dunlap didn't really want to do that. For one, it wasn't the play called, and for two, Dunlap doesn't play inside, so why wouldn't he question what Jones was saying?
"He didn't want to go inside, he didn't want to go inside," Jones said laughing when asked about Dunlap's reaction. "Thanks to Carlos [Dunlap], I was able to get there and we both walked away happy."
Difference-maker. That's what the best defensive tackle in the league does.
Seeing the video of him making that switch just shows you the talent and IQ this guy has. He played a near-flawless game too, not just on those sacks, but he was double-teamed nearly all game.
Jones is a Ring of Honor-type of guy. He really is one that will forever have his place in Chiefs history, even if he just got his first career postseason sack.
Anytime the Chiefs put him on the field, he is a factor, and he gives the defense an advantage because the opposing team is almost always forced to double him.
The move he made was one of the smartest moves we have seen a player make in quite some time. He did it, and it worked. With 44 seconds left in the game, the Bengals with the ball on a third and eight, Jones gets the sack and forced Cincinnati to punt.
It doesn't get better than that.
Featured Image Via Sam Greene / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
