Chiefs: What Happened to the Defense?

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) makes a move past Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) as he carries the ball in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs lost again this weekend. There is a lot being said out there. And, not incorrectly, a lot of finger pointing at the offensive line, Alex Smith, Andy Reid, and even GM John Dorsey. But, believe it or not, the offense is in the top ten of the league in points scored.

So while the offense still has plenty to figure out, the biggest question I am left with as K.C. preps for the Bears is “What on earth happened to the defense?”

Going into this season, we anticipated some shakiness on the offensive side of the ball. We weren’t sure exactly how much better the offensive line would be. We did not know how productive Jeremy Maclin would be, or how much of a role the other receivers like De’Anthony Thomas, Albert Wilson, and Chris Conley would play.

But for all that was left unknown in the offseason, we did know at least one thing: K.C.’s defense would be an exceptional unit with a scary good pass rush. Heck, ESPN’s John Clayton said the Chiefs had the best pass rushing duo in the NFL.

Fast forward to Week 5 of the regular season, and it feels like we have to rethink what we thought we knew.

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The Chiefs defense is currently ranked dead last in the NFL per pro-football-reference. Yes, you read that right, dead last. Through four weeks of play, no one has been scored on more than K.C. How can that be?

This unit should be nothing but better. Justin Houston and Tamba Hali returned. Dontari Poe is back from injury, as are Mike Devito and Derrick Johnson. Eric Berry is back in the lineup. Ron Parker was resigned, and Marcus Peters looks like he will definitely earn his first round selection.

That group of players should be more than enough to match up against any offense in the league. And last year, even with several of those players missing, they did.

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