KC Chiefs’ Defense ‘Only Scratching the Surface’ After Win Against Chicago Bears

The Kansas City Chiefs' offense exploded en route to a 41-point outing against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, but it was Steve Spagnuolo's defense that once again helped steal the show with a dominant performance.

Holding Chicago's offense to just 10 points (with all of them coming in the fourth quarter), the hosts played a stifling brand of football in Week 3. Sound execution along the front four, from the linebacking corps and in the secondary helped the defense work together in near-perfect harmony, with quarterback Justin Fields and his teammates never managing to settle into a groove. On an afternoon where a stellar defensive performance wasn't even needed in order for the Chiefs to win, they got one anyway.

Running back Jerick McKinnon spoke after the game and when asked about Kansas City's performance on the opposite side of the ball, the veteran signaled that he wasn't even the least bit surprised.

"It was great," McKinnon said. "We know what kind of defense we have. They've played lights out the first two weeks and then today, they just kept it going. We expect big things out of them this year. They've got a lot of playmakers on that side of the ball and any time we play with them, we trust that they can come up with one."

Since surrendering 368 net yards, 5.3 yards per play and 19 first downs to the Detroit Lions on the NFL's opening night, Spagnuolo's defense has improved in each of its following games. Last week, it was a 271-yard showing against the Jacksonville Jaguars that was accompanied by a measly 4.2 yard-per-play average and just 18 first downs given up. In Week 3, the Bears had 203 net yards, averaged an even 4.0 yards per play and logged just 11 first downs all game long. Fields was consistently off his mark, as the Chiefs generated a good pass rush and blanketed receivers in coverage.

Kansas City's success over the last decade-plus has largely been a byproduct of the historically impressive brain of head coach Andy Reid. One of the best coaches and play designers in league history, Reid helped win the franchise a ton of games when Alex Smith was his quarterback and all he's done since handing the reins to Patrick Mahomes is elevate to new heights. Despite that, it's been the defensive side of the ball that's gotten praised the most through Week 3. According to Reid, he knew the group would be this good.

"I thought we'd be where we are by just playing well," Reid said. "Reid, Justin, he's one more year in and is comfortable. You saw what (Mike) Edwards did. The young guys are better. I mentioned during training camp that the zones are tighter and the man coverage is better. We're getting the young rushers up there, they're doing a better job, and the linebacker position is strong. Nick Bolton didn't play today [but] Drue (Tranquill) stepped in and, I thought, did a heck of a job. Willie (Gay Jr.) pushed himself through and played. I think it's an overall effort there of guys going through that growth process. I'm proud of them and how they're playing."

Last year, the Chiefs had a whopping seven rookies on the defensive side of the ball. Most of them ended up playing significant roles en route to the team's Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and those who hid in the shadows are now playing prominent roles in 2023. Former first-round pick Trent McDuffie says Spagnuolo outlines a "my job, plus" philosophy for his players to grasp, and more experience in the system has everyone firing on all cylinders. After perhaps the most impressive defensive performance of the young season, McDuffie doesn't think Kansas City has hit its ceiling on D.

"This is a young — and I keep saying it — this is a hungry defense," McDuffie said. "We've got a lot of guys committed to not only just the defense, but each other. There's a big, strong brotherhood with this defense and it's exciting to come in each and every day and work with these guys. I feel like we're only scratching the surface, so I'm excited for the rest of this season."

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