The Kansas City Chiefs' defense is officially back. However, so is their most familiar flaw: The lack of a consistent pass-rushing unit. Despite holding opponents to just 16.7 points per game, the third-best mark in the league, they're not getting to the quarterback.
Notably, this has been a familiar problem during the Steve Spagnuolo era. Regardless of the additions and the players returning from injury, the Chiefs still can't generate much pressure and have to rely on heavy blitzes.
While that has worked out thus far, there are still 14 games left to play in the regular season. Their 4 percent sack rate and 12.1 percent pressure rate rank 27th and 28th, respectively, per NFL Savant, and that's simply not acceptable.
The Kansas City Chiefs' pass rush is still an issue after Week 3
Through the first three weeks of the season, Chiefs pass rushers have logged a grand total of two sacks: One for Felix Anudike-Uzomah and one for R Mason Thomas. As for George Karalftis, Chris Jones, Peter Woods, Ashton Gillotte, and Khyris Tonga, they've combined for a grand total of 18 pressures and 0 sacks on 508 pass-rushing snaps.
Spagnuolo has often been a master of disguise with his exotic blitz packages. Once again, his defense is tailor-made for that, but that also leaves the secondary quite exposed at times, and gunslingers can make the most of that evergreen flaw.
Of course, it's hard to complain when the team is undefeated through three games. That said, this has been a problem for years, and just like some fans and pundits warned last season, it's unsustainable; it'll come back to haunt this team at some point.
Watching R Mason Thomas has been a breath of fresh air, and the fact that Anudike-Uzomah has been productive and healthy has been encouraging. Other than that, there's not much to brag about or celebrate with this unit. The Chiefs haven't gotten their money's worth with Karlaftis' big extension. As for Chris Jones, whether he is working through a calf injury or not, he is not performing to his expected level.
Whether it's a personnel or scheme issue, this is something to keep a close eye on as the season moves forward. This team has spent way too much money and resources on revamping the defense to return to its Super Bowl-winning days.
And as much as they will always have a chance to put up points on the scoreboard with Patrick Mahomes lining up behind Creed Humphrey, this team can't put all their hopes on No. 15. The defense has to do its part, and that also includes getting to the quarterback.
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