Packers vs. Chiefs: Andy Reid’s creative genius returns and other lessons

DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Matt Moore #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs replaces quarterback Patrick Mahomes after an injury if the first half against the Denver Broncos in the game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Matt Moore #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs replaces quarterback Patrick Mahomes after an injury if the first half against the Denver Broncos in the game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 27: Emmanuel Ogbah #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates his third quarter sack on Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 27: Emmanuel Ogbah #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates his third quarter sack on Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

The Defense Continues to Improve

Through Week 6, the Kansas City Chiefs had only 11 sacks and 25 QB hits. Since then, the Chiefs have 14 sacks and 22 QB hits in only 2 games.

Last week, Joe Flacco could not stay upright with Kansas City grabbing 9 sack and 10 QB hits. Flacco couldn’t make a play downfield all game, and suffocating the Broncos quarterback helped K.C. secure a dominant victory over a divisional opponent. Fans were high after this defensive performance, yet also skeptical given Denver’s shortcomings.

This week, the same defense made Aaron Rodgers look uncomfortable on multiple occasions, with Damien Wilson as the most aggressive asset pressuring Rodgers. This kept Rodgers moving in and out of the pocket, which helped the secondary and forced Rodgers to throw the ball away on multiple occasions.

Despite playing a much better team and having more injuries defensively, the Kansas City defense was able to find success up front once again, gaining five sacks and 12 QB hits. Fortunately for Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers is quietly capable of making a play when moving outside of the pocket (much like another QB we know), and had some great plays by receivers who came through in the clutch.

The upcoming schedule for the Chiefs features a long list of less-mobile quarterbacks, names like Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill, Philip Rivers, Derek Carr, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, and Mitchell Trubisky. Given their recent performances, this defense could prove to be extremely problematic for opposing teams, especially as they get healthier.