Kansas City Chiefs: Four predictions for 2015
Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) celebrates a play with safety Ron Parker (38) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs’ pass defense will be the best in the NFL
Last season the Chiefs had a great pass defense. They ranked second in the NFL in passing yards per game allowed at 203.2. They were tied for third best in the NFL in yards per pass play allowed at 6.4. They ranked fifth in the NFL in quarterback sacks with 46. They were tied for sixth in the NFL for fewest passing touchdowns allowed with 22. In other words, last season the Chiefs were one of the best pass defenses in the NFL.
Just this past week AA’s own Nick Floyd asked the question “Will The Chiefs Have A Top Five Pass Defense?”. Not only would I answer that question with a resounding “yes”, but I’ll take it a step further. I believe that the Chiefs will have the best pass defense in the entire NFL next season.
My justifications for this are pretty simple. They were REALLY good last year, they didn’t lose any key players from that pass defense, and they added several key players that will only make the unit better. Last season, despite the good results, the Chiefs actually had several holes in their pass defense. Chris Owens was adequate as a nickel back, but was injured much of the season. The Chiefs had a revolving door at the starting outside cornerback spot opposite Sean Smith and Eric Berry’s cancer diagnosis left them scrambling to fill the safety position as well.
All of that seems to have been remedied this offseason. The Chiefs are now extremely deep at cornerback with Sean Smith, Phillip Gaines, Marcus Peters, Steven Nelson, and Jamell Fleming all strong contenders to earn playing time. That depth at corner will allow the re-signed Ron Parker to focus exclusively at safety where his play was MUCH better last season. Being able to play Parker at safety along with Husain Abdullah and free agent addition Tyvon Branch should give the Chiefs a quality rotation at that position as well.
As long as the Chiefs get Justin Houston re-signed and back in time for when the games count there is no reason to believe the pass rush should fall off at all. In fact, if former first round pick Dee Ford can take a step forward this season it could even improve. If Ford improves AND the Chiefs young core of defensive linemen like Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, Jaye Howard, and Mike Catapano improve their pass rush up front as well…….look out NFL.
The pass rush and pass coverage go hand in hand. When one is good it helps out the other and visa versa. The fact that both of those areas were good last season and there is reason to believe that both will be as good or better this season is exciting for Chiefs fans. That is why I am predicting that KC will have the best pass defense in the NFL in 2015.
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