Chiefs’ Offense Needs to Secure This Elusive Goal Before Unleashing Spags

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Week 5 as one of five teams yet to do this.

Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Take it from a former college pitcher whose dad pitched in the Major Leagues. The Kansas City Chiefs have an All-Star closer.

He’s a savvy right-hander named Steve Spagnuolo.

“And you always see when we get leads, he's great,” Patrick Mahomes said last month. “He's a great finisher. He's a great closer, being able to give you different looks and stuff like that.”

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to pass as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson (95) defends at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Any closer, of course, is inconsequential without something very important: A lead. That’s why Mahomes enters every week with the urgency to put points on the board early and often. Securing an early lead takes pressure off the Chiefs’ defense, transferring that pressure to the opponent.

The elusive offensive accomplishment

So, when the Chiefs (2-2) square off with the Jaguars (3-1) on Monday Night Football (7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN/ABC, KMBC Ch. 9, 96.5 The Fan), Kansas City will seek something that’s proven painfully elusive this season: A touchdown on its first drive.

Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester (41) raises his hands in the fourth quarter as it became obvious his team would win, Sunday, September 21, 2025. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Chiefs entered this week as one of just five NFL teams without an opening-drive touchdown. Buffalo, meanwhile, has touchdowns on its initial possession in every game.

Why Andy Reid said Spags came out of his shoes last week

Kansas City appears to be moving in a good direction, though. The Chiefs have posted field goals on their opening drives in each of their last two games. And in last week’s 37-20 win over Baltimore, Kansas City’s defense was happy to play a complementary role – until the unit’s final snap, Justice Hill’s 71-yard touchdown run.

“Yeah, I thought the guys played really, really good, solid football,” Spagnuolo said Friday. “The only play I'm going to remember about the game is going to be the last one, because that's just what sticks in my head.

“But prior to that, the things that we did and the way we played, and fourth downs were really important, but obviously the focus was on the running back, to get that done first. And then try to get them, in the game to our offense’s credit, they got some points on the board and we were able to dictate a little bit.”

Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The focus on the running back led to Derrick Henry finishing with only 42 yards. On Monday night, the Chiefs will need a similar focus to shut down Travis Etienne, a task too tall for most teams this year.

Etienne in last week’s win at San Francisco rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown, becoming the only NFL player this year with 120-plus rushing yards in multiple games. He entered this week third in the league with 394 rushing yards.

Obviously, the Chiefs can’t allow Etienne to get outside like Hill did at the end of last week’s game.

Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) reacts during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

“It was a step forward for us,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said after last week’s win. “Unfortunately, at the end of the game, we gave up a huge run.

“We have to learn to close games, whether it’s the ones, twos or the guys that normally don’t get those high-volume reps. We’ve got to close games. I think we took a step forward as a team on offense, defense and special teams. For me, it’s a step toward progression.”

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