Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle was quick to accept the blame for the team’s loss to the Colts in Week 3, but fans are mixed about putting it all on him.
If you listen to the response of Chris Jones, there’s really nothing to debate when it comes to who deserves the blame for the Kansas City Chiefs‘ loss to the Indianapolis Colts. At a key point, the team’s star defensive lineman made a serious mistake at the worst possible time and the painful results could be found in the renewed vigor of a Colts offense that found a way to score the go-ahead touchdown shortly thereafter.
But for some fans, it’s not so cut-and-dry.
The Chiefs’ loss in Week 3 wasn’t just a story of a careless error made at the wrong time. Instead, it was a comedy of errors that played out over 60 full minutes. If you made a list of the most egregious mistakes in that game, Jones might not even make the top five—depending upon your viewpoint. The tackles were turnstiles. Patrick Mahomes was off target. Special teams units were embarrassing on all sides, and coaching decisions were confusing and questionable.
The lone bright spot on the day was the entire defensive unit that held the Colts to a single touchdown for the majority of the game and even that was allowed only because special teams coughed up the football on a goal-to-go situation that ruined a three-and-out to start the first quarter.
The Chiefs defense was exceptional on Sunday, and Jones was a big part of that performance. Jones has been a beast for the last two weeks for this defense, and the entire front line feasted on Colts quarterback Matt Ryan at Lucas Oil Stadium—good for 10 quarterback hits and 5 sacks. Jones’ ability to dominate and penetrate makes everything easier on those beside and behind him, and Chiefs Kingdom saw that very clearly in Week 3. Perhaps that’s why some fans want to take it easy on Jones when the team could have easily won despite his error in myriad ways.
Instead of getting the Chiefs off of the field after a fourth-quarter stop, Jones said something wrong to Ryan, the substance of which was unknown, and an official flagged him for it. Just like that, the Colts had a new set of downs, and a gassed defense was forced to try once again to stop them. A few minutes later, tight end Jelani Woods caught his second touchdown on the day. Jones stated, “That was my fault” and accepted the blame in the locker room following the loss.
Chris Jones: “As a veteran player on this team I have to be better.” #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/loZoIhhUG7
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) September 25, 2022
"“We got off the field — and I put us in a situation to get back on the field,” Jones said, via Nate Taylor of The Athletic. “Then we got scored on. That sums up the game. I’ll take that one. That was my fault. That was definitely my fault. I’ve got to be better. It won’t happen again from me.”"
Some Chiefs fans agreed and slammed Jones for his error.
Thanks Chris Jones
— ArrowheadGuys (@ArrowheadGuys) September 25, 2022
I take no issue with Skyy Moore, Ammendola, and Pacheco (to a smaller degree) making bad plays. They’re trying to do their jobs. Those were excusable football errors.
— Scott Loring (@ChiefsChannel) September 25, 2022
Chris Jones’ unsportsmanlike on 4th & 15 with 4 minutes left in the game was utterly inexcusable.
Absolutely horrendous awareness from Chris Jones. You can’t put yourself in that situation. Just get off the field. You stopped them. Brutal decision making.
— Sterling Holmes (@HomestretchKC) September 25, 2022
That is a brutal penalty. Had the stop and were going to get the ball back and now Chris Jones is going to keep the Colts alive for the upset
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) September 25, 2022
Chris Jones might want to skip the locker room and go straight to the bus in his uniform after costing the Chiefs the game.
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) September 25, 2022
It’s rare you can pin a loss on one guy. But the @Chiefs win today if not for the undisciplined unsportsmanlike penalty by Chris Jones. Inexcusable pic.twitter.com/RwGN5faWBn
— Rich Bennett (@coloradorich) September 25, 2022
But others want to keep things in perspective. Jones’ error wasn’t helpful but he was hardly the primary reason for the loss. In fact, the call itself was questionable for some fans.
The Chris Jones moment isn't as big if special teams and the offense does their part. It got magnified because of the shortcomings today.
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) September 25, 2022
Does Chris Jones deserve criticism for the loss? Yes.
— Farzin Vousoughian (@Farzin21) September 26, 2022
Was he the only reason?
Short answer: no
Long answer: hell no
The Chiefs muffed a punt, dropped a touchdown pass, missed a field goal, missed a PAT, called a terrible fake field goal.
Quit blaming a loss on one guy.
I don’t like that call on Chris Jones. Not for WORDS not in this moment of a game.
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) September 25, 2022
With that being said… Go Colts 🗣
Leave Chris Jones alone. Took a whole lot of errors (and kicks) going awry for that L. We’ll be all right. pic.twitter.com/d98le221i3
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) September 25, 2022
Y’all refuse to see that shit and blame Chris Jones yes he was part of the problem but 17 points cmon now.
— Yellow Boiii (@yellow815) September 25, 2022