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Kansas City Chiefs: Can the Jaguars replicate the Broncos defense?

By Travis Steffen

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks downfield to pass against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks downfield to pass against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by defensive end Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by defensive end Shelby Harris #96 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Disguising Blitz Packages

Denver did a great job of disguising their blitz packages as well. The Chiefs offensive line struggled throughout the night picking up blitzes and allowing Denver’s defense to wreak havoc in the backfield. Going back and watching the game, I counted the Broncos had 21 pressures on the night. While most of you will think of Von Miller following that statement, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz only allowed one pressure by Miller when lined up on that side.

Left tackle Eric Fisher allowed the most pressure by my count in a game that he struggled with the crowd noise. Rookie edge rusher Bradley Chubb was able to get four pressures on the night, three of which came against Fisher. Those two edge rushers were not the biggest problem for Kansas City, however. Most of the pressure came from the interior defensive line of the Broncos, and blitz packages.

Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe had his way for most of the night in the middle. Coming away with five pressures and three hurries, he pushed the limit of the guards on the Chiefs line. Denver also blitzed with linebackers and safeties that appeared to be in coverage pre-snap.

The constant pressure of Denver’s defense resulted in Patrick Mahomes throwing to underneath routes. Kansas City struggled to spread out the Denver defense for the first three-quarters of the game and to attack deep. While Mahomes came away with attempting eight deep passes (20 air yards or more), which is the highest attempts I’ve charted this season, almost all of that came in the final quarter of the game.

Kansas City’s gameplan featured mostly curl routes and slants to try and beat this Denver defense which was unable to work for most of the game. Without Watkins on the field, the Chiefs didn’t seem to be running concepts that open up the intermediate and deep passing attacks. Whether that was the initial gameplan or a result to Watkins’ injury, we don’t know.

With the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town this coming weekend, the best defense in the NFL will likely try and replicate some of what Denver did in those first three quarters. Jacksonville is much more talented on the defensive side of the ball and will be the hardest test for Patrick Mahomes this season.

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