KC Chiefs: Dee Ford Finally Has Breakout Game

Dee Ford of the KC Chiefs has struggled this season, his second after being a first-round pick out of Auburn.

In Week 14, Dee Ford ended with three sacks and seven tackles in his second NFL start with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dee Ford was the 23rd pick of the first round in the 2014 NFL Draft for the KC Chiefs. He was somewhat of a surprise to most casual Chiefs fans, as they already had Tamba Hali and Justin Houston on the roster at the same position.

Many thought that Ford would be a bust after his first NFL start where he honestly looked like he didn’t belong in an NFL starting lineup.

More from KC Kingdom

• Win $650 GUARANTEED Plus $100 Off NFL Sunday Ticket With Caesars, FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
• This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
• How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
• The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
• The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule

He was continuously taken out of plays by offensive linemen and provided the Chiefs with next to nothing in the run game or in the pass rush. Before last week’s start, the consensus was basically the same, as he hasn’t had many plays where he looked like he was worthy of his first round selection.

Before last week’s start, the consensus was the same, as he hasn’t had many plays where he looked like he was worthy of his first round selection.

On Sunday, his second NFL start, he proved everybody wrong.

The Chiefs took on the San Diego Chargers in Week 14 and won 10-3. Dee Ford had a large part in keeping Philip Rivers and co. in check.

He finished with a line of seven tackles, including three sacks and a crucial pass deflection on the last play of the game defending Danny Woodhead as he dove to make a touchdown catch in the end zone as time expired. Ford was right with Woodhead and was the reason that the pass went incomplete.

Here’s a video of the play:

Not only did he get three sacks on Rivers, but he was often in the offensive backfield in both the passing game and the run game. The Chargers’ run game was non-existent, as both Woodhead and rookie Melvin Gordon combined for just 40 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Rivers constantly had Ford pressuring him and collapsing the pocket, not giving him much time at all to look down the field throughout the game.

He had to be the player of the game for the Chiefs, as he was obviously the best player on the defensive side, and the offense was held to just ten points against a pretty mediocre defense.

Here is Dee Ford with a free hit on Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers:

If Ford can keep up a similar style of play in the future, once starter Justin Houston returns from injury the Chiefs will have the scariest pass rush in the NFL with Houston, Ford, and Hali coming of the edge. The

Chiefs’ defense has been much improved this season, and if Dee Ford can join the parade, they could be one of the best in the league.

Next: Top 5 QBs in Chiefs History

Tell me what you think! Has Dee Ford done enough in his second start to confirm he isn’t a bust? How long will he be with the Chiefs? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!