Chiefs v. Jaguars: Can Nick Foles lead Jacksonville to victory?

Defensive notes and players to watch

Last but not least, there is the Chiefs defense. This unit was completely scrapped from a decimated 3-4 scheme that couldn’t stop anything and rebuilt into a 4-3 scheme that, at least on paper, looks to be more imposing.

The question will be how quickly this unit can gel. From the outset, opposing offensive coordinators focus along the front will be Frank Clark and Chris Jones. Alex Okafor and Derrick Nnadi are going to have about as easy a job as a defensive lineman in the NFL could have this year, assuming neither Clark or Jones gets injured.

Okafor has demonstrated how solid of a bookend he is throughout his career, but Nnadi is a bit of a wild card. The unassuming third round pick had a surprisingly productive rookie year, but can he take the next step in year two and become a force? Or, will third round pick Khalen Saunders be able to eventually unseat him?

This game will be a challenge for this defensive line, as the Jaguars have talent on the offensive line and a hungry premier running back. This game will go a long way to showing how strong the Chiefs front seven will be against the run. Luckily, I expect Spagnuolo’s use of the safeties and our particular brand of head hunters in Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill to take some pressure off if a player makes it to the outside.

It goes without saying, but the obvious scheme to play against the Chiefs right now is to spread the field and pressure our corners and linebackers in coverage. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen very positive play from these two groups during the season. The Jaguars aren’t going to be a top ten offense, most likely, but they still have enough competent weapons to execute this strategy.

Will one of our corners step up and shoulder the role of the team’s number one corner? Or, will Sunday’s contest leave Chiefs Kingdom eagerly awaiting the debut of Morris Claiborne? Will any of our linebackers be consistent enough in coverage to shutdown running backs in the passing game?

I’ll be honest, I think there will still be some struggles this season. Even against middle of the pack offenses. That said, every single team in the NFL has a number of weaknesses. With the improvements to the front end and backend of the defense, I think the cornerbacks and linebackers will do enough to be serviceable and this defense will rank between 15th and 20th.