Kansas City Chiefs: Ranking the 5 best opposing offenses on the 2021 schedule
By Jacob Milham
As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for 2021, let’s take a look at the five best offenses they’ll face.
While the Kansas City Chiefs field the NFL’s best offense, there are 31 other teams out there. Which of Kansas City’s opponents have an impressive offensive attack? Who should Kansas City Chiefs fans be concerned about in 2021?
Thankfully, the Kansas City Chiefs offensive unit and attack are the best in the NFL.
It all starts at the top, with head coach Andy Reid. Since taking over the team in 2013, he has slowly turned the Chiefs into a top-tier offense.
For example, in 2012 under then-head coach Romeo Crennel, the Chiefs ranked last in points scored. By the end of 2013, Reid’s Chiefs ranked 6th in points scored, a massive turnaround within a season.
| Points | Top Players | Off Rank | Def Rank | Overall Rank | Simple Rating System | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Lg | Tm | W | L | T | Div. Finish | Playoffs | PF | PA | PD | Coaches | AV | Passer | Rusher | Receiver | Pts | Yds | Pts | Yds | T/G | Pts± | Yds± | out of | MOV | SMS | SRS | OSRS | DSRS |
| 2021 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 | Reid | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1st of 4 | Lost SB | 473 | 362 | 111 | Reid | Mahomes | Mahomes | Edwards-Helaire | Kelce | 6 | 1 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 32 | 6.9 | -0.1 | 6.8 | 4.5 | 2.3 |
| 2019 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1st of 4 | Won SB | 451 | 308 | 143 | Reid | Mahomes | Mahomes | Williams | Kelce | 5 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 32 | 8.9 | 0.2 | 9.1 | 6.2 | 2.9 |
| 2018 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1st of 4 | Lost Conf | 565 | 421 | 144 | Reid | Mahomes | Mahomes | Hunt | Hill | 1 | 1 | 24 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 32 | 9.0 | -0.1 | 8.9 | 12.6 | -3.8 |
| 2017 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 10 | 6 | 0 | 1st of 4 | Lost WC | 415 | 339 | 76 | Reid | Smith | Smith | Hunt | Hill | 6 | 5 | 15 | 28 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 32 | 4.8 | -1.3 | 3.4 | 3.8 | -0.3 |
| 2016 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1st of 4 | Lost Div | 389 | 311 | 78 | Reid | Peters | Smith | Ware | Kelce | 13 | 20 | 7 | 24 | 1 | 4 | 28 | 32 | 4.9 | 0.7 | 5.6 | 1.2 | 4.4 |
| 2015 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2nd of 4 | Lost Div | 405 | 287 | 118 | Reid | Smith | Smith | West | Maclin | 9 | 27 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 32 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 9.0 | 3.7 | 5.3 |
| 2014 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2nd of 4 | 353 | 281 | 72 | Reid | Houston | Smith | Charles | Kelce | 16 | 25 | 2 | 7 | 21 | 9 | 22 | 32 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 0.0 | 5.7 | |
| 2013 | NFL | Kansas City Chiefs* | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2nd of 4 | Lost WC | 430 | 305 | 125 | Reid | Charles | Smith | Charles | Charles | 6 | 21 | 5 | 24 | 2 | 4 | 25 | 32 | 7.8 | -1.7 | 6.1 | 1.7 | 4.3 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/18/2021.
While the Chiefs were a smart offensive team before, the addition of 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes really took the team to the elite territory. The trio of Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receiver Tyreek Hill have powered the Chiefs offense for a few years now. Behind the best QB-WR-TE combination in the league, Kansas City has not finished lower than sixth in points scored or overall yards gained since 2018.
The offense’s consistency, scheme, and back-to-back Super Bowl appearances put together make Kansas City a perennial favorite to lead many offensive categories. If the rushing attack, led by second-year running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, can take a step forward behind a new offensive line, the would further baffle opposing defenses.
While the Chiefs certainly boast offensive prowess, they are not the only team to do so.
What's our record going to be? pic.twitter.com/9eQ5iKg5je
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 13, 2021
In 2021, Kansas City faces 2020’s top three rushing teams and the 2020 MVP. It certainly will not be an easy task for the Chiefs’ defense to stop these teams. The defense was, by statistics, largely average in 2020.
2020 Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Stats
- Passing Yards Allowed (per game) – 236.2 (Ranked 14th)
- Passing Yards Allowed (per game) – 122.1 (Ranked 21st)
- Points Allowed (per game) – 22.6 (11th)
The defense, led by safety Tyrann Mathieu, looks to continue their success limiting opponents through the air. The Chiefs’ opponents in 2020 had an 89.4 passer rating, good for 10th in the league. Couple that defense with an improved defensive line, who looks to better their 32 sacks as a team in 2020, and the defense could be good against the pass.
The weakest area of Kansas City’s defense is run defense. Under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs have improved marginally against rushing yards per game and rushing first downs.
It's clear Chiefs believe their defensive problems stem from struggles in stopping the run. Spagnuolo: "I’m always telling the guys that you earn the right to rush the passer and you’d better be good on first and second down to get into those obvious passing situations.''
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) October 16, 2020
While Kansas City’s opponents can find success on the ground, it rarely leads to a win. That was 2020 though. In 2021, what offenses will test the Chiefs’ defense the most?