Chiefs’ defense has things to clean up after escaping Raiders

Kansas City’s defensive leaders acknowledged the flaws exposed against Las Vegas on Friday.

The Kansas City Chiefs entered the weekend with two victories in the last six days — the latest clinching a spot in the AFC playoffs. The 19-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday evening was tight, and the Chiefs’ defense was bailed out by a self-inflicted error by the Raiders’ center-quarterback exchange.

Linebacker Nick Bolton pounced to the fumble recovery, sealing the win — but he was aware of the plays that put them in such a stressful position. In his post-game press conference, Bolton pointed out an emphasis for the Chiefs’ defense that the unit struggled with against the Raiders.

“We have to find ways to make them take the long, hard road,” Bolton told reporters. “Eliminate explosive plays, make them make contested, tough catches. Some of them are wide open.”

The Chiefs’ defense held the Raiders to three points for most of the game, but two possessions in the second half made a huge difference. Both drives lasted only two plays, the second of each being a long touchdown pass.

“We preached early about getting our swagger back,” he continued. “We were able to kind of get that going, then we had an explosive kick return. We have been preaching about it not mattering where we get the ball; we’re going to make them kick a field goal. Then we gave up an explosive pass, a touchdown on that play.”

It was the second consecutive game where explosive passes were the lowlight for the Chiefs’ defense. The coverage has struggled in individual matchups, but that can also result from a lack of chemistry in a group that has dealt with lineup changes this season.

That includes this game when cornerback Nazeeh Johnson was replaced by Joshua Williams late in the first half. The best version of the defensive backfield is still a work in progress, which was explained further by Chiefs’ cornerback Trent McDuffie in the locker room afterward.

“I think a big thing happened in that two-minute [drill] at the end of the game, a little miscommunication with up-tempo,” McDuffie explained. “We just have to clean it up. We had a rookie who couldn’t hear but is doing a great job of learning the playbook. It takes time.”

The Chiefs allowed the Raiders to drive past midfield both times the team needed to late in the fourth quarter. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had a chunk completion on each drive, including a 25-yard catch in individual coverage. It speaks to a need for players to execute.

“I don’t think the communication is that bad; everybody knows what we’re doing; I think the biggest thing for us is just going out there and making the plays,” McDuffie told reporters. “We’re in the right position; we just have to make the plays.”

Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images

Even with a stronger performance from the Chiefs’ pass rush, the coverage blemishes were still exploitable. Defensive tackle Chris Jones earned two sacks, and defensive end George Karlaftis tacked on another in a game with plenty of pressure on the Raiders’ pass game.

Jones recognizes the flaws and sees them as correctable — especially his individual mistakes.

“If we eliminate the big plays and the penalties, I think we’ll be where we want to be as a defense,” Jones told reporters during his post-game press conference.

“I had two offsides [Friday] — one gave them a first down, and another moved them closer,” Jones elaborated. “I have to be better on that. Pass interference penalties, hands to the face penalties, little things like that can add up throughout the season, especially in the playoffs.”

The Chiefs must use the five remaining games in the regular season to patch up these holes, but Jones wants to make sure that doesn’t change the defense’s mentality snap to snap.

“Still play physical,” Jones demanded. “Don’t take away from the physicality part of how we play in our defense. Just correct the errors.”

The Chiefs’ next opportunity to improve on these defensive details is Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, more than a week away. Bolton sees the additional days of rest as an opportunity to get better.

“This last game, we didn’t get to really dive into the film because of the short week,” Bolton explained. “These extra days, we can watch two games and get the communication right, get the eyes right, and be on the ’s and Os of what we have to do.”

The Chiefs will need to find ways to slow down opposing passing attacks, but a lot of it comes down to the players on the field performing closer to the team’s standard.