Robert Griffin III Praises Chiefs’ Defense
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For as good as the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense was earlier this season, the unit has caused Chiefs’ fans ulcers with subpar play during this three-game losing streak.
The pressure hasn’t been there up the middle or on the edges, the secondary has been burnt on a consistent basis, and the safety play outside of Eric Berry has been atrocious.
In three games, the Chiefs’ defense has given up 1,453 yards of total offense. 1,113 of those yards have come through the air. Granted, Kansas City has played Peyton Manning twice, sandwiched by Philip Rivers and the chargers; but there are no excuses for such horrible play in the NFL.
Still, Kansas City’s defense still does have the core of the dominant group it was just a few weeks ago, and when Justin Houston eventually comes back from injury, hopefully it will be able to return to form.
In the here and now though, it’s the 3-9 Washington Redskins that are on the docket, and although the Redskins’ season has been a disappointment, they still boast one of the most exciting playmakers in the NFL, in quarterback Robert Griffin III.
For his part, RGIII has expressed respect for the Chiefs’ defense, despite its struggles as of late. He even complimented the much-maligned secondary.
“Very fast, very physical. They’re challenging and that is the nature of their entire defense,” Griffin explained. “They’re going to challenge you in every aspect: running, throwing. They’re going to make you earn everything you get and you have to accept that challenge. I think we will accept that challenge and I think it will be a great game.”
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He also kept the past three weeks in perspective.
“Yeah, I mean they are one of the top defenses in the league. Of course they’ve gone against the Broncos twice and that skews rankings, but I don’t really pay attention to all of that stuff,” he said. “When you turn on the tape, they play extremely hard, extremely fast and extremely physical. We have to match that physicality on the field and go out there and execute our plays.”
Despite their own struggles this season, the Redskins rank first in the NFL in rushing yards per game, so that will be a facet that Kansas City’s defense will have to focus on.
Though he is known for his ability to run, RGIII hasn’t gotten it done on the ground in 2013. He’s rushed 82 times for 460 yards, but he hasn’t picked up a touchdown. Through the air, Griffin is 262-of-430 for 3,039 yards 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.