Travis Etienne presents real challenge for KC Chiefs defense

With the NFL Divisional Playoff Round approaching, the Kansas City Chiefs are challenged with facing Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.

The number one seed Kansas City Chiefs are set to face off at Arrowhead Stadium against the fourth seed Jacksonville Jaguars this Saturday following an abysmal yet hilarious choke job by the L.A. Chargers, in which the Jaguars rallied back from a 27-point deficit.

Though the Chiefs emerged with a  27-17 victory against them back in Week 10, the Jaguars still present a challenge, as they possess a roster full of young offensive talent, with running back Travis Etienne Jr. perhaps being the most dangerous and dynamic among them.

If the Chiefs hope to remain on their course to the Super Bowl, the KC defense must pay him the respect that he is warranted.

Etienne vs. the Chargers

Travis Etienne enjoyed a productive outing in his playoff debut, racking up 20 carries to the tune of 109 yards, a 5.5 yards-per-carry average, and a catch for 12 yards. Though this stat line is impressive on its own, Etienne’s real impact occurred during a single play. Trailing by two points with 1:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars found themselves in a must-have fourth and inches situation. Their offense lined up in a wonky formation that saw three backs lined up in the backfield. Etienne was handed the ball and bounced outside of the pile, tallying up a 25-yard run.

This all but sealed the game as it granted the Jaguars an easy field-goal opportunity and effectively ended the Chargers’ short playoff run. With the season on the line, Etienne delivered.

Etienne has enjoyed a productive season 

Having a single good performance against the fifth-worst run defense in the league is all fine and good, but Etienne’s talent has been on display throughout the season. He ranks eighth among running backs with 1,125 rushing yards and sixth among running backs in terms of yards-per-carry with 5.1.

Despite Etienne’s success on the ground though, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield shouldn’t be overlooked. Most of the time, opposing defenses have their hands full focusing on Jaguars pass catchers Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram, thereby making it easy for Etienne to leak out of the backfield and benefit from some open field targets.

Just how big of a challenge is he for the Chiefs?

Etienne was mostly held under wraps in the previous game against the Chiefs, though his lack of total yards could be due to his limited opportunities. In Week 10, Etienne saw only 11 carries which he converted into 45 yards or 4.1 yards per carry. He also wasn’t game-breaking through the air, only catching three targets for 28 yards.

Though his limited usage in the first matchup is rather puzzling, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo should expect the Jaguars to use him more, especially after his recent success in the Wild Card round. Additionally, it should be noted that Kansas City’s defense has struggled against running backs racking up receiving yards, as they rank the third worse in that metric this season with 778 yards allowed.

There’s no denying that Travis Etienne is a great talent and the Chiefs’ defense should be fully aware of what he is capable of. That being said, it’s nothing the boys in red and gold can’t handle, as this organization is completely aware of the goal at hand. Linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. will be eager to smother him, and K.C.’s tenth-best run defense has faced scarier running backs this year and emerged victorious. That’s why the Chiefs are slated as 8.5-point favorites.

All said, Etienne will surely find production, though even his best game should not prevent the Chiefs from reaching their fifth straight AFC Championship appearance.