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Five things we’ve learned about the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs

By Lyle Graversen

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks away from Kylie Fitts #49 of the Chicago Bears during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks away from Kylie Fitts #49 of the Chicago Bears during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Run Defense Should Be Better IF They Stay Healthy

Last season the Chiefs run defense ranked 25th in rushing yards allowed per game and 23rd in rushing yards per carry allowed. This preseason they are currently 25h in yards allowed and tied for 16th in yards per carry. That doesn’t sound like a reason to believe the run defense can be a lot better but this is less about the finished product that we’ve seen on the field and more about the quality of the individual parts.

Eric Berry has yet to play in the preseason and in the first two preseason games the Chiefs didn’t play either of their starting inside linebackers (and their back ups aren’t that good). Reggie Ragland and Anthony Hitchens did play on Saturday and while their play was an upgrade over their backups it was clear that they’re still a little rusty. The Chiefs were also without new defensive tackle Xavier Williams on Saturday who looked very good in the first two preseason games.

Rookie Derrick Nnadi got quite a bit of playing time with Williams out against the Bears and he looks like he’ll be able to contribute right away as a run defender as well. Then if you factor in some much needed muscle on the edges from Tanoh Kpassagnon and Breeland Speaks you’ve got the pieces in place for a much improved run defense.

Now, there is no guarantee that the Chiefs will stay healthy and we’ve seen already that the Chiefs don’t have a deep enough bench on defense to lose many starters and not have it bring down the quality of play on the field. So if Berry continues to battle injuries, Ragland’s knee acts up again, etc. the run defense could continue to be an issue.

That having been said, the Chiefs appear to have the pieces in place to have a respectable run defense. I think we’ve seen enough from the individual players to have faith that the talent is there. Now we just need them to all get on the field together at the same time in week one and prove that our faith is warranted.

The pass defense on the other hand…

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