Monday Night Football: Three places the Chiefs must improve

Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) on the line of scrimmage during the second of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41 – 39. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Peter first two games in the NFL have been nothing short of sensational. He looks like a future All Pro cornerback and a home run of a first round pick by general manager John Dorsey. Next week, veteran Sean Smith will return from suspension and the KC secondary will look like one of the best in the league. The problem with that is that the Chiefs don’t face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack next week they face them tonight. Sean Smith isn’t playing and Marcus Peters can’t cover everyone.

Now, that having been said, the Chiefs safeties actually do a really solid job in coverage (as safeties go) but in order to stop the Green Bay passing attack KC is going to need more than one cornerback and some safeties. Simply put, the other Chiefs cornerbacks have to play better for KC to win this game.

Phillip Gaines has done an okay job thus far as the starter opposite Peters in the base defense and sliding inside to the slot in the sub package. Gaines hasn’t really made any big plays but he hasn’t been a liability either. When Sean Smith comes back Gaines will likely become the full time nickel back and that should suit him fine. The real problem has been Jamell Fleming on the outside in the sub package.

Just how bad has Fleming been thus far?

I’m glad you asked.

Not only is Fleming the lowest rated cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, his coverage grade is so incredibly bad that the Chiefs secondary has a negative coverage grade despite the fact that EVERY OTHER defensive back that has played has a positive coverage grade. That’s right, the Chiefs have six defensive backs with a positive pass coverage grade and just one with a negative grade and their combined coverage grade is still a -2.4 overall. That’s how bad Fleming and his -7.8 coverage grade have been.

A lot has already been made about Fleming’s horrible showing against the Broncos and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s lack of adjustments to fix the situation, but the problem simply can’t be ignored. If KC is going to have any chance to beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Fleming has to play better. Sutton has shown he won’t throw the entire defensive game plan out the window just to protect Fleming so at some point it’s up to the player to get the job done. I hope Sutton has something up his sleeve in case Rodgers goes after him the same way Manning did, but regardless the Chiefs need better corner play outside of Marcus Peters in order to win this one. I hope Fleming comes out with a chip on his shoulder after that last game.

I firmly believe that if those three things happen (Fisher plays well, they get production outside of the “big three” on offense, and the cornerback play behind Peters has a solid night) the Chiefs will win this football game…..even in Green Bay….even against Aaron Rodgers.

So what do you think Addicts? Do you agree that these are three huge keys to the game? Do you think there is something else I’m overlooking? What are the odds that these three things actually happen tonight? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!