Chiefs Want Sacks, But They Haven’t Been Getting Home

The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t been getting sacks, but it mostly hasn’t mattered. Everything else has been going swimmingly, and the Chiefs are 4-0. 

That doesn’t mean they’re not aware of the problem and working on it, as Nate Taylor of ESPN noted in his recent piece about the issue. Defensive coordinator has been working with his charges to find ways to get home, and he noted that his group is “pretty accountable” based on what he called “constructive criticism.” 

Some of this is about random bad luck. The Chiefs have gotten pressure when they’ve needed it, and they’ve been able to produce negative plays. But there are other stats Taylor cited that prove the need to solve the problem. 

Specifically, the Chiefs ranked 27th in pass rush win rate, generating pressure by beating the opponent's pass protection within 2.5 seconds just 45 percent of the time. They pressured Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins just 34.6 percent of the time, per Taylor, who also noted that Cousins is the least mobile quarterback the Chiefs have faced recently. 

Coach Andy Reid clearly doesn’t see this as a major issue, as he said the Chiefs have been “keeping the quarterback busy back there” with their pressure, and he noted the importance of that. 

The one glaring example of a game where the Chiefs needed more was against the Indianapolis Colts, as quarterback Daniel Jones was able to generate yardage and points with quick completions. Cousins also used hot routes as part of his plan off attack, and Malik Willis of the Miami Dolphins was able to use legs. 

Defensive tackle Chris Jones had a different take on why Cousins wasn’t sacked in Kansas City’s last game, saying “you can’t beat yourself.” He also mentioned the penalties the Chiefs have incurred that have cost them sacks, with a holding call against cornerback L’Jarius Sneed being a culprit against the Raiders. 

Part of the focus is about last year. The pass rush was a big part of Kansas City’s 6-11 season, as the Chiefs secondary got badly exposed when rushers couldn’t get home. Linebacker Nick Bolton mentioned "taking some of those points off the board” as he referenced the Colts game, and that’s the big end game here. 

Fortuntely, the Chiefs’ next opponent will almost certainly help them find a solution. Quarterback Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers has been sacked at least twice in every game, so as targets go he’s almost a sack waiting to happen.