I like to read through the opposing SB Nation blogs each week to see how the other fanbase views the Kansas City Chiefs. This week the opponent is Music City Miracles, SB Nation’s Titans blog.
Music City Miracles did what I did when I first heard the Titans were the opponents — went to the stats to see what the Chiefs do or don’t do well.
Here’s the thing though, the Titans can beat the Chiefs. Don’t believe me? Let’s talk about some numbers. Kansas City has really struggled on defense this year. They are 32nd DVOA against the run this year. 32nd. Do you know what the Titans are bound and determined to do? Yep, that’s right, run the football.
There are numbers that say the Chiefs have struggled defensively. We’ve talked about the pressure problems and the run defense problems. We’ve talked about the No. 2 cornerback and what’s been lost with Eric Berry’s injury and Derrick Johnson’s decline.
Here’s the thing though, the Chiefs defense is actually good right now. Here’s how many points they’ve allowed in recent games (not counting the backup-fest in Denver): 13, 13, 15, 38, 16 and 12.
The 38 points scored by the Jets is a clear outlier in the last two months. Look at those points allowed numbers and then come back and tell me the Chiefs are a bad defense. They’re not. Those numbers say they are the worst run defense in the NFL but they are not. The Chiefs haven’t allowed 100 rushing yards in three of the past four games. They’ve forced 12 turnovers in their four-game winning streak.
Some numbers out there might indicate the Chiefs have been a bad defense this season but they’re not bad right now. This defense held the Steelers to 18 points at home last year. This is a defense that has the potential to help carry the Chiefs in the postseason.