Chiefs' Trent McDuffie says defense still has something to prove vs. Eagles in Week 11
It sure feels a lot like Super Bowl LVII heading in Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season. The Lombardi Trophy might not be on the line, but when the Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) meet on "Monday Night Football", it'll be a clash between the powerhouses of each NFL conference. The […]
It sure feels a lot like Super Bowl LVII heading in Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season. The Lombardi Trophy might not be on the line, but when the Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) meet on "Monday Night Football", it'll be a clash between the powerhouses of each NFL conference.
The Chiefs may have been the victors over the Eagles in the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean Kansas City is going to be complacent going into this game. They know that this is an entirely different team and an entirely new challenge.
Still, for players like Trent McDuffie, they've got a bit of a chip on their shoulder heading into the game. Speaking on ESPN reporter Adam Schefter's podcast, McDuffie revealed that the Chiefs' defense feels like they have something big to prove against Philly this time around.
"Man, you definitely have to look at it as a new experience," McDuffie told Schefter. "They're a different team. We're a different team. Actually, one of the big things that coach (Steve Spagnuolo) did this morning, he hinted back to the last Super Bowl and he said, 'I don't know about you guys, but they put up 35 points against us.' And I know this year's defense, we're like, 'None of that.' We are not trying to give up points. There is definitely kind of that stigma, that wasn't our best defense, we've still got something to prove."
The Chiefs' defense has surrendered more than 24 points in a single game this season and it took turning the ball over five times for that to happen. Philadelphia on the other hand has scored 25 or more points in seven games this season.
This defensive group is intent on keeping up its dominant brand of defensive play against one of the best offenses in the league. It's not just about keeping the ball rolling, but it's about redeeming a performance that wasn't up to their current standard in Super Bowl LVII.
"Oh, yeah," McDuffie said. "I don't care if we win or lose, if we give up 35 points, there's definitely going to be a lot of sour faces coming out next week."
Now, of course, plenty has changed for both Philly and Kansas City since they last met. For the Eagles, they have an entirely different offensive coordinator and one who is using all of the parts of that offense to great effect. McDuffie feels that he and his teammates are up for the challenge.
"They're a great offense," McDuffie repeated. "And they're efficient. They've got Jalen Hurts, they've got the tush push, they've got AJ Brown. It's going to be a matchup.
"One thing I know, at least with this defense and just being around the guys is, we love games like this. I mean, you've got to love a 'Monday Night Football' game against the No. 1 team in the AFC. It's a showdown, man. That's why we're in the NFL, for games like this."
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