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Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Rams: Game Notes

By Lyle Graversen

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: The Kansas City Chiefs arrive at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on August 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: The Kansas City Chiefs arrive at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams on August 20, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) and defensive back D.J. White (24) during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) and defensive back D.J. White (24) during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Before I get into a bullet point assessment of some individual players I want to address a bigger picture viewpoint I have. If you watch the first string Chiefs defense I think you can see three potential problems. Those being a lack of an outside pass rush, a drop-off in their ability to stop the run, and some issues in coverage by their young defensive backs. While I 100% agree with these three points I actually believe that the first one (lack of outside pass rush) is having a major effect on the other two. Yes, the Chiefs need to improve in those two areas independently, but an improved outside pass rush would instantly improve them as well.

The coverage/pass rush connection is obvious for anyone who has watched much football. When quarterbacks have more time in the pocket they can survey the field and find open wideouts easier. Young defensive backs simply aren’t going to be able to provide tight coverage for a long period of time. You can survive without a great outside pass rush and you can survive with young defensive backs but the combination of the two is going to be a problem for any NFL team and we’re seeing that this preseason in KC.

The run defense connection is a little less obvious to casual fans. The Chiefs have a powerful and talented defensive front so many may be wondering why that isn’t translating to stopping the run at the line of scrimmage. Because Kansas City isn’t getting much out of their outside linebackers their talented defensive front is having to try and create pressure and disruption by getting into the backfield.

That’s all and good when they get their hands on the quarterback or running back but the Chiefs base 3-4 defense is designed such that the defensive linemen occupy the linemen so that the linebackers are free to fly to the football. When those defensive linemen start focusing on penetrating into the backfield it leaves some offensive linemen free to get to the second level and block the linebackers.

Next: The defense...

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