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