Kansas City Chiefs need to attack the Seahawks run game

Kansas City will be facing another run-heavy offense in Seattle this weekend. Will the defense have a better gameplan than it did against Baltimore?

The Kansas City Chiefs are going to be in a familiar type game this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. Like the offense they played a couple weeks ago against Baltimore, Seattle is an extremely run-heavy offense. As the rushing attack continues to be an issue for the Chiefs defense, it’s hard not to wonder whether or not defensive coordinator Bob Sutton will come more prepared this time around.

Against Baltimore, Kansas City took too long to adjust for stopping the running game. Sutton started off the game in his nickel formations which led to the Ravens coming out on their second drive and not passing the ball once. Baltimore ran the ball eight plays in a row marching down the field for a touchdown.

More from Arrowhead Addict

Sutton started to adjust in the second quarter but didn’t fully commit to stopping the rushing attack till the fourth quarter. Given rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s unique running ability and his stats from previous starts averaging less than 200 yards passing per game, it would seem obvious that the Chiefs should have come out to stop the running game.

Baltimore leads the league in rushing attempts this season, but Seattle is right behind them. Averaging 154.9 yards per game on the ground, Kansas City’s defense is looking at a very similar opponent when facing the Seahawks. The biggest difference between the two offenses is at quarterback with Russel Wilson.

Wilson has been quietly putting together one of his best seasons with a 111.6 passer rating in 2018. There are only three quarterbacks that Wilson falls behind in this stat and those are Philip Rivers, Patrick Mahomes, and Drew Brees who are all candidates for this year’s MVP. Even with limited weapons including his favorite target, wide receiver Doug Baldwin being injured throughout this season, Wilson continues to perform and his mobility to escape the pass rush and extend plays in exceptional.

Unlike Lamar Jackson who is still developing, Wilson is experienced and one of the better quarterbacks in the league that can tear apart the defense in the passing game. Where they are similar is their part in the dual-threat running attack. In 2018, Wilson is averaging 5.6 yards per carry in an offense that is extremely effective in the play action and read-option style of offense.

Unlike the gameplan against Baltimore, Kansas City needs to come out more aggressive to attack the rushing attack if they want to win this game. Seattle’s offensive line ranks in the bottom half of the league and despite some additions this last offseason still has some work to do. The Seahawks often bring in a sixth offensive lineman to replace the tight end for added protection in the rushing and passing game to help.

The Chiefs should take advantage of Seattle’s offensive line and get into the backfield. One of the major reasons for the struggle of stopping the running game this season has been the hesitation of the inside linebackers. Despite the aggressive nature of Reggie Ragland and Anthony Hitchens at previous stops, both have been hesitant to shoot gaps which are likely due to Sutton asking them to read and react instead of being a downhill thumper attacking an assignment.

We have seen both players have success when they are asked to attack and not wait for the play to come to them. Sutton needs to unleash these two thumpers to attack the running game if they want a chance against this offense. Running back Chris Carson has been a top ten running back in yards this season and pairing him with Wilson in the backfield gives me concern considering how the Chiefs defense has done against the running attack.

When it comes to the secondary, Kansas City needs to get more physical at the line of scrimmage. Most teams would kill for a pass rushing trio of Justin Houston, Chris Jones, and Dee Ford. Given that the Chiefs are one of the top teams in sacks this season while blitzing one of the least, it goes to show how well this trio has done at generating pressure. If Sutton wants to help get more pressure and stop the passing game, he needs to allow his corners to bump at the line of scrimmage and give his pass rushers time to get to the quarterback instead of allowing quick passes in the screen game and slant routes to take away Kansas City’s pass rush.

One player that Kansas City should focus on heavily is wide receiver Tyler Lockett, former Kansas State star. Lockett is a speed receiver that could give the Chiefs secondary some fits. Given that Baldwin will likely play, but limited, Sutton should devote extra attention over the top of Lockett at all times.

One thing that the defense will have that they didn’t against the Ravens will be safety Eric Berry. While he won’t be out there for the entire game, it’s a night and day difference when he’s on the field compared to when he isn’t. They made that clear against the Los Angeles Chargers last week looking at the tale of two halves.

Sutton has to sell out to stop the running game of Seattle, and play more aggressive if Kansas City wants more opportunities this week. Baltimore and Los Angeles have done well at keeping Patrick Mahomes off of the field the last two weeks which has resulted in a loss to the Chargers and an overtime game against the Ravens. While Berry will bring some much-needed help in both areas of the defense, he tended to stay up top against the Chargers, which means that stacking the front of the defense and attacking will be key.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News