Chiefs: How championship defenses fail
By Laddie Morse
Some have suggested that the 2015 Denver Broncos defense was the best defense of all time. The 2015 Broncos defense only held one team all season to less than 10 points. Plus, half the teams they faced in 2015 scored 20 points or more on them. In 2015, the K.C Chiefs allowed the 3rd least amount of points per game. The Broncos were 4th.
The last time the Denver Broncos shut out another team was in week 11 of 2005. Yep, that was Herman Edwards’ New York Jets. If you can’t remember as far back as January of this year, Kansas City shut out Houston 30-0.
While the Dallas Cowboys had good defenses in 1992 and 1993 to win back-to-back championships, it was the “The Triplets” that those team were most known for in QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith and WR Michael Irvin. The term, “triplets” became popularized because of them.
Certainly the the 1988 -1989 back-to-back winning San Francisco 49ers teams had great defenses? Right? Sure but does anyone doubt that Montana-to-Rice was perhaps the great quarterback-wide receiver combo in the history of the National Football League?
How about the 1978-1979 Pittsburgh Steelers? No one doubts that their defense was one of the best… if not the best.. in the history of the league. Yes, and… WR Lynn Swann, WR John Stallworth, RB Franco Harris, RB Rocky Bleier, QB Terry Bradshaw with Center Mike Webster (five of whom are in the hall of fame)… made up a rather formidable and unforgettable offense.
Every team within a team — offense, defense and special teams — has had a bad day every once in awhile, even if you’re a hall of fame defense. The 1979 Steelers gave up 30 points or more 4 times that season. So, to win a championship… especially if you’re attempting to go back-to-back, it must be done with a balanced team. So, you must also have a competent offense who can bail you out when things don’t go your way in a game.
The Denver Broncos don’t have that kind of offense. They didn’t have that kind of offense last year either but the defense carried them especially when the postseason arrived. I’m not sure there is going to be a postseason for Denver following the 2016 season. It’s hard to see the Broncos dominating teams this year, except perhaps those that are below average.
Don’t doubt that every team will be strapping on their gun-belts, donning their best cowboy hat and then stepping into the street… and be looking to gun them down.
In 2015, the Broncos had 14 total interceptions. 12 other teams had more interceptions than they did including the Chiefs, who had 22. So, Denver probably should not be counting on having the best scoring defense in the league this year… as in “pick-sixes”… to win games, because to do that they first have to intercept the ball.
Next: Will the K.C. defense step up or step back in 2016?