Pro Football Focus Week 3 Grades Leave Chiefs With Question Marks And Some Answers
By Ben Nielsen
Sep 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defense tackle Dontari Poe (92) leaps over Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) after sacking Tannehill during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENSIVE LINE PASS RUSH
In the offseason we made a point to note the defensive line had to produce a better pass rush than they had in the past. Part of the reason why the Chiefs pass rush collapsed last season was because opponents didn’t fear one-on-one situations with guys like Tyson Jackson and Mike DeVito because neither could win those situations. That allowed teams to put more resources towards blocking Tamba Hali and Justin Houston.
You’ll be pleased to hear that three of the four highest graded pass rushers for the Chiefs on Sunday were defensive linemen. Allen Bailey (+1.8), Dontari Poe (+1.1), and Jaye Howard (+1.1) combined for two sacks, a quarterback hit, four quarterback hurries, and a batted pass. This allowed Justin Houston to have a ton of one-on-one matchups with rookie offensive tackle Ja’ Waun James, a matchup Houston thoroughly dominated.
The Chiefs don’t need their defensive linemen to be dominate in the pass rush, they just need them to be effective in one-on-one situations. Opposing teams cannot be allowed to just filter all of their protection towards the ends because then the Chiefs defense is in trouble. Having Bailey, Poe, and Howard be effective on Sunday and Vance Walker’s success for the first two weeks is a huge positive for the Chiefs after three weeks.
Maintaining this pressure will be key but at least there is reason now to suggest that it is a possibility and not a pipe dream.