Do The Chiefs Have A Top 5 Defense?

Even including the Week 1 debacle, the Chiefs aggregate defensive stats are pretty good.

KC is:

October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) instructs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50, right) during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

4th in the league in points allowed

9th in total yards allowed

3rd in opponent’s 3rd-down conversion rate

2nd in passing yards

12th in sacks

18th in rushing yards

30th in turnovers forced

On those last two, one should probably expect that running up the gut would be the matchup opponents would want to exploit with both of the Chiefs’ inside linebackers out basically all season. But, KC has still only allowed more than 150 yards rushing twice this season – to Tennessee and San Francisco.

For what it’s worth, the Chiefs also give up the 7th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

I’d expect turnovers to rise as well. They always come in bunches and we know from last year that this defense knows how to take the ball away.