Sack time for the first time this season for Chiefs

Dee Ford hinted earlier this season that he had a three-sack game in his holster, and who could argue with him?

He turned in a three-bagger last season, which accounted for three-quarters of his sacks on the year. But in 2016, the Chiefs pass rush had not been ferocious — until Sunday.

Led by Ford’s 3.5 sacks, the Chiefs were at their get-after-it best, delivering six sacks of quarterback Andrew Luck in a 30-14 triumph over the Colts on Sunday.

Ford sensed a big game was approaching.

“I felt it during the week,” Ford said. “I understood Andrew Luck is going to make plays down the field, so he’s going to hold on to the ball. You have to keep rushing him.”

That is, work off the initial block and keep the motor running. Luck, an able runner, led the Colts in rushing yards with 60.

But the Chiefs often bothered him while he was in the pocket, forcing Luck into a 19-for-35 day, with 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

The pick proved a big moment in the game. Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines jumped a sideline route late in the first half and his takeaway led to a touchdown just before halftime that increased the Chiefs lead to 17-7.

“Me, I know I struggled,” Luck said. “I think every offensive player in the room feels like we let each other down. … That’s a good defense. They’re disciplined, they have a plan and they have an identity.”

Until Sunday, that identity included takeaways — the Chiefs entered the game tied for second in the NFL with 14 — but not sacks. Their eight before Sunday tied for last in the NFL. Three teams entered the weekend tied for first with 22.

The first sack, by Ford, came on a third-and-3 from midfield, ending a Colts threat in the first quarter. Ford and Tamba Hali teamed up for a sack in the second quarter that created a third-and-long.

In the second half, Ford collected two more, while Frank Zombo got one, and so did rookie Chris Jones, the first of his career.

Jones’ may have been the most impressive of the game, when he steamrolled guard Denzell Good and wrapped up Luck without throwing him down.

“I ended up getting a one-on-one and we emphasize winning one-on-ones,” Jones said. “People say I honestly don’t know my strength.”

The Colts felt it on that play and all afternoon with the Chiefs defense. The first big moment wasn’t a sack or interception but an alert play by linebacker Ramik Wilson, who bounced on a fumble when Luck mishandled a snap.

The Chiefs didn’t turn that takeaway into points, but the stage was set for perhaps their most complete game this season.

“Just playing our defense, man,” Ford said. “When we’re us, as a defense, we’re hard to stop against anybody we play.”

Especially when sacks are part of the equation.

This story was originally published October 30, 2016 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Sack time for the first time this season for Chiefs."