‘We’d like to change that’ — Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo knows his unit must improve in one key area
It would go a long way.
We’ve seen two very different performances from the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense this season.
It was a mess in Week 1, surrendering 394 total yards and 27 points to the Los Angeles Chargers. 304 of those yards were through the air, in addition to three touchdown passes from quarterback Justin Herbert.
In Week 2, however, the Chiefs’ defense played with high energy and gave up just 216 total yards to the Philadelphia Eagles. QB Jalen Hurts threw for a lowly 101 yards and was under pressure for most of the day.
We’ll know more as the season progresses, but given how good Kansas City’s defense has been over the past few years, it’s probably safe to say that it will continue to play similarly to Week 2. While speaking to the media on Thursday, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo discussed on key area his unit still needs to improve in.
Chiefs’ defense must force turnovers at a higher rate
“When the ball is in the air, we should be going after the football,” Spagnuolo said. “Now, we are a match coverage team. We play a little bit of man, and sometimes our backs are turned, so there is a little bit of a disadvantage there for our guys. But, to go two games without a turnover, we’d like to change that. You know the old saying, they come in bunches. Let’s hope this week is the one where it does, and we do get the bunches.”
The Chiefs’ defense is yet to force a single turnover this season. It ranked in the middle of the pack in 2024 with 20, as safety Jaden Hicks led the team in interceptions with three, and linebacker Leo Chenal led the way with three forced fumbles.
Getting pressure on the quarterback with only four or five rushers would greatly help, but the unit has struggled to do that thus far. We’ll see if those fortunes change this week against quarterback Russell Wilson and the New York Giants.