The KC Chiefs’ defense had chance to shine vs. Bills. Instead, they were exposed again
The rest of the country saw what everyone in the Kansas City metro, Chiefs fans everywhere, really, already knew:
This version of the Chiefs’ defense has issues.
And that’s putting it mildly after their 38-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
“They’re embarrassed by it and we didn’t play well,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “And so we all are. I mean, you surely don’t want to play that way any time, let alone at home, and you’ve got to do better.”
Kansas City’s defense stiffened in the second half, but the damage was done before halftime. From missed tackles to linebackers running away from wide-open Bills running back Zack Moss to giving up big plays down the field, the Chiefs put all their defense’s dirty laundry on full display.
Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen was on the wrong end of two big plays of 20 yards of more. The veteran defensive back found himself trailing wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a 61-yard pass play down the middle of the field, and was out of position for Bills tight end Dawson Knox’s 53-yard touchdown down the right sideline.
After the game, Reid said he would have to evaluate the film and talk with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to figure out what had happened on the back end of coverage.
“I’ll know more after I talk to Spags and take a look at the film,” Reid said.
The Bills’ other notable big play came on quarterback Josh Allen’s 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
“Too many long shots on us in the first half, from a defensive standpoint,” Reid said. “We’ve got to take care of that.”
Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu agreed.
“I think most of the explosive pass plays were guys just running wide open down the field,” Mathieu said. “So, obviously we’re going to practice that, our coaches are going to teach that.
“Just got to find a way to dig deep, man. Every team we play wants to beat us; they want to beat us bad. I think we have to understand that when we come into these kinds of games.”
The Chiefs failed to produce pressure on Allen in the pocket and contain him when he scrambled. Allen also tormented the Chiefs with his legs, gaining 59 yards on 11 carries. In the first half alone, he completed seven of 14 pass attempts for 219 yards, averaging an incredible 31.3 yards per completion.
According to ESPN Stats, Allen’s yards/completion were the most in a half in the last 30 years.
The Chiefs have now allowed opponents to score 30 or more points in four straight games, three of them losses.
“I look forward to when both sides of the ball play well together, because we can be a real good football team,” Reid said.
This story was originally published October 11, 2021 at 12:08 AM.
