KC Chiefs: Four reasons to be worried despite win over Eagles

Lack of a pass rush

You can tell how little pass rush the Chiefs are getting by the fact that we’re all standing and applauding for a coverage sack by Mike Danna from time to time. That’s just how bad things have gotten.

Yes, the Chiefs got three sacks on the day after generating only four sacks in the first three games of the season, but the Chiefs pass rush is still very, very hard to locate on most plays. L’Jarius Sneed got a nice sack when tasked with a timely blitz. Danna got a couple sacks thanks to his relentless efforts outside, of course, but this was supposed to be an easy game. After all the Eagles were down four of their starting offensive linemen, at least from what the preseason plan seemed to be.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Against the Baltimore Ravens, the loss of Ronnie Stanley was supposed to create the sort of luxurious openings that would allow the Chiefs to have a field day. Instead the offensive line enforced their will on Chiefs defenders in Week 2, which ended up becoming the Chiefs’ first loss of the season.

Frank Clark is getting paid more than any non-quarterback in the league and he’s not even on the field (hamstring). Unfortunately the Chiefs are getting mediocre production even when he’s on the field and nothing when he’s injured. Chris Jones is part of some weird science experiment by placing him outside on a regular basis. Turk Wharton hasn’t been a factor this season despite such a strong rookie season in ’20, and Jarran Reed isn’t getting any real push on the pocket either.

All of this has to change if the Chiefs are going to right their wrongs and have a chance to put a team like the Buffalo Bills on the outside looking in within the coming weeks.