Kansas City Chiefs: Areas to Improve on For Week 10
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Run Defense
Yes, I’m aware that the Chiefs are the only team left who haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown this season. With that said, they still allowed Chris Johnson to rush for 69 yards (with a long of 21), Chris Ivory to rush for 22 yards on eight carries, and overall allowed 139 yards rushing from the Jets offense. That’s more than the Chiefs were able to run for (113 yards) on the day.
More from Kansas City Chiefs
- How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
- The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
- DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
- Fan-Favorite Locks Up Chiefs Roster Spot With Stellar Preseason Performance
- DraftKings NFL Kansas Promo: Bet $5 on Chiefs vs. Saints, Win $150 Bonus!
Kansas City not allowing a rushing touchdown is definitely saving them from being further criticized. Johnson’s really not that great of a running back anymore and if I wasn’t also a Saints fan, I wouldn’t know who the heck Chris Ivory is.
It sucks not having Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito in there and Josh Mauga has stepped in nicely, but there are some run heavy teams coming up on the schedule so the Chiefs need to step it up in this department.
Side note: The Chiefs’ defense was able to stop the Jets offense on three consecutive fourth down attempts. I was impressed with that for sure.
STOP THROWING THE FOOTBALL IN SHORT YARDAGE SITUATIONS WHEN YOU DON’T NEED TO
The end of the game came down to the Jets somehow threatening to tie things up late in the game (but not really). When the Chiefs had their last possession, Andy Reid continued having Alex Smith throw the ball when it was second down. Not even third down. SECOND DOWN!
Why not run it on second down, run the clock down further and get closer so you could run it on third? I don’t understand. When you throw the ball and it’s an incomplete pass, the clock stops. That gives the opposing team more time on the clock to try and make a comeback.
Plays like this cost Kansas City the 49er game and we’re lucky it hasn’t cost the Chiefs more games. Stick to what the offense does best Coach Reid. RUN THE DAMN BALL.