Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive success dependent on sack total in 2018
The Kansas City Chiefs took a step back defensively in 2017. But if the defense can improve its sack total, it will help the defense in many areas.
The Kansas City Chiefs defense is still a concern heading into the 2018 season. During Andy Reid’s first five seasons in Kansas City, the defense made plenty of highlights.
From 2013 to 2015, the Chiefs combined for 140 sacks, finishing either sixth or above each of those three seasons. But the past two seasons, Kansas City’s sack total was near the bottom of the league.
The Chiefs compiled 28 sacks in 2016, placing 28th in the league. Last season, the Chiefs improved that total with 31, tying 24th with the Oakland Raiders.
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Outside linebacker Justin Houston led the team in sacks with 9.5, tying 19th in the league with three others. Defensive end Chris Jones was second on the team in that category with 6.5 sacks while tying first with cornerback Marcus Peters with four forced fumbles.
Outside of Houston and Jones, defensive ends Allen Bailey and outside linebackers Dee Ford and Tanoh Kpassagnon tied third on the team in sacks with two each.
If Kansas City’s sack total improves, the defense will improve in other areas as well.
Under Reid’s guidance, the defense surrendered 21.2 points per game in 2017, finishing 15th, the lowest since 2013. Although the Chiefs had the seventh most takeaways last year with 26, it is the second fewest takeaway total for the Chiefs since Reid’s arrival.
Ever since Houston’s near-record-breaking 22-sack season in 2014, he’s collected 21 total sacks while missing 17 games during the past three years. But after playing 15 games in 2017, as most starters were sidelined in Week 17, Houston showed improvement last year. He finished the season with 9.5 sacks, the most he has had in a season after 2014.
The big question is, which outside linebacker can step up and form a resilient duo similar to Houston and former Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who was let go this offseason?
Ford shined in 2016 with 10 sacks in the first 10 weeks. Since Week 11 of the 2016 season, including playoff games, Ford has just 2.5 sacks. His 2017 campaign was cut short due to a back injury. But he said earlier this offseason that he feels “excellent” and is ready for the 2018 season.
Kpassagnon was drafted in the second round in 2017 by the Chiefs. When the Chiefs started most of their backups in Week 17 against the Denver Bronocs, Kpassagnon shined in his first career start, getting the first two sacks of his career. The Chiefs snagged an outside linebacker for the second year in a row in the second round, this time adding Breeland Speaks back in April.
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Whether it is Ford or a recent draft pick in Kpassagnon or Speaks, the Chiefs need their starter opposite of Houston to consistently contribute to the team’s pass rush. If it happens, Kansas City’s sack total will be similar to what it was in the first three years, up high in the 40s. That will translate to better success defensively, and more wins in 2018.