A Closer Look At The 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Defense

Last week I took a look inside the numbers to see just how improved the Kansas City Chiefs offense was this last season. This week I’ll take a look at the defense. I think even the most casual fan could see that the defense was improved this year, but how much? Once again we’ll look and see if the improvement we thought we saw holds up when you look at the numbers or if it may have just been a product of an easy schedule.

The numbers themselves show clear improvement. In 2009 the Chiefs defense was ranked #30 in yards allowed with 388.2 yards per game. In 2010 they moved up to #14 with 330.2 yards per game. In points allowed they improved as well, going from #29 with 26.5 points per game allowed to #11 with 20.4. Those are both great improvements for one season.

After the break we’ll look at what the offenses the Chiefs faced averaged this season and how the Chiefs matched up.

So here is a week by week break down that includes the team the Chiefs faced, how they ranked and averaged in both offensive yards per game and points scored, and then how many yards and points they put up against the Chiefs. Keep in mind that in this case negative results are what we’re looking for.

Week 1 – San Diego: #1 – 395.6 yards, #2 – 27.6 points
Vs KC: 389 yards, 14 points
Compared to average: -6.6 yards, -13.6 points

Week 2 – @ Cleveland: #29 – 289.7 yards, #31 – 16.9 points
Vs KC: 299 yards, 14 points
Compared to average: +9.3 yards, -2.9 points

Week 3 – San Francisco: #24 – 313.3 yards, #24 – 19.1 points
Vs KC: 251 yards, 10 points
Compared to average: -62.3 yards, -9.1 points

Week 5 – @ Indianapolis: #4 – 380.8 yards, #4 – 27.2 points
Vs KC: 341 yards, 19 points
Compared to average: -39.8 yards, -8.2 points

Week 6 – @ Houston: #3 – 386.6 yards, #9 – 24.4 points
Vs KC: 421 yards, 35 points
Compared to average: +34.4 yards, +10.6 points

Week 7 – Jacksonville: #15 – 341.2 yards, #18 – 22.1 points
Vs KC: 300 yards, 20 points
Compared to average: -41.2 yards, -2.1 points

Week 8 – Buffalo: #25 – 304.9 yards, #28 – 17.7 points
Vs KC: 328 yards, 10 points (in OT)
Compared to average: +23.1 yards, -7.7 points

Week 9 – @ Oakland: #10 – 354.6 yards, #6 – 25.6 points
Vs KC: 321 yards, 23 points (in OT)
Compared to average: -33.6 yards, -2.6 points

Week 10 – @ Denver: #13 – 348.9 yards, #19 – 21.5 points
Vs KC: 452 yards, 49 points
Compared to average: +103.1 yards, +27.5 points

Week 11 – Arizona: #31 – 269.3 yards, #26 – 18.1 points
Vs KC: 382 yards, 13 points
Compared to average: +112.7 yards, -5.1 points

Week 12 – @ Seattle: #28 – 297.8 yards, #23 – 19.4 points
Vs KC: 288 yards, 24 points
Compared to average: -9.8 yards, +4.6 points

Week 13 – Denver: #13 – 348.9 yards, #19 – 21.5 points
Vs KC: 247 yards, 6 points
Compared to average: -101.9 yards, -15.5 points

Week 14 – @ San Diego: #1 – 395.6 yards, #2 – 27.6 points
Vs KC: 426 yards, 31 points
Compared to average: +30.4 yards, +3.4 points

Week 15 – @ St Louis: #26 – 302.1 yards, #26 – 18.1 points
Vs KC: 224 yards, 13 points
Compared to average: -78.1 yards, – 5.1 points

Week 16 – Tennessee: #27 – 302.1 yards, #17 – 22.2 points
Vs KC: 270 yards, 14 points
Compared to average: -32.1 yards, -8.2 points

Week 17 – Oakland: #10 – 354.6 yards, #6 – 25.6 points
Vs KC: 344 yards, 31 points
Compared to average: -10.6 yards, +5.4 points

The Totals:
The offenses the Chiefs faced had an average ranking of 16.3 in both yards and points. These teams averaged 336.7 yards per game and 22.2 points. The Chiefs defense on the season gave up 330.2 yards and 20.4 points. That means they gave up 6.5 yards less then the teams averaged and 1.8 points less then what they scored on average. Now 6.5 yards and 1.8 points don’t seem like much, until you compare it to where they were last year.

Now a lot has been made of the easy schedule that the Chiefs had this year. When I looked at the defenses the Chiefs faced this season compared to last year that belief held true. However, when looking at the offenses the Chiefs faced this year it’s just not the case. I just told you that the offenses the Chiefs faced averaged 336.7 yards and 22.2 points and both had an average ranking of 16.3. Last season the teams they faced had an average ranking in yards per game of 17.4 and averaged 329.6 yards and ranked 17.9 in points with 20.6. So the offenses they faced were statistically a little better this season.

Despite the fact that the offenses put up better stats the defensive numbers were much better. Last season the Chiefs gave up 388.2 yards per game. That was 58.6 yards more per game then their opponent averaged. As I said earlier they averaged 330.2 yards this season, putting them 6.5 yards below what their opponents allowed. So not only did they give up 58 yards less per game, but the swing from 58.6 yards more then their opponents averaged to 6.5 yards less is a 65.1 yard swing against the average. Last season the Chiefs allowed 26.5 points per game which was 5.9 points more then their opponents averaged. This year their 20.4 points was 1.8 less then the average. That’s a 7.7 point swing against the average. That’s more then a TDs difference per game in one season. That is a great improvement.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m really encouraged by these numbers. If we can upgrade a couple more positions on the defense we’re going to be really good. Players like Glenn Dorsey, Eric Berry, Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers are only going to get better, while players like Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali still have several years left in their prime. If we can keep Romeo Crennel around this defense could become something really special.

Once again, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!