It's no mystery the Chiefs linebacking corps leaves a lot to be desired. We got some nice play out of Gay at Will this past game, and Hitchens has been passable more often than he's not.
But I'm rewatching the Broncos game, and the Broncos essentially run the same play like 8 times in the 2nd quarter, and it's a big gainer every time. Like, every time.
They pull a guard or tackle from the left side and run them to the right. The RB takes the handoff and fakes the run to the inside before cutting it wide to the right and following at least one, if not two blockers over the right side. Wilson played that side all quarter, and never made a single play once. He was washed out by a blocker every single time in that quarter.
He wasn't helped by the DE play. My guy, Demone Harris, was abominable. He was consistently blocked out of plays by tight ends. Kpass wasn't much better, giving up push almost every time. One time, they ran the play when Clark manned that side, and even Clark bit too far inside and was unable to get outside, leaving Wilson alone to be erased by the blocker.
This defense has several issues: lack of an edgerush, corners that may have regressed from the postseason highs of last year, and a scheme that allows the MLB to be a sideline-to-sideline roamer... which we're wasting on Hitchens.
But Wilson may not be passable at this point, which we may see whenever we play a capable offense again willing to run right at him for entire quarters. He's a good player if there's no blockers to slip, but he simply can't get off blocks.
If the opponent is running the ball, that usually plays right into the Chiefs hands. 60 minutes is not enough time to beat the Chiefs by running the football. Almost all of the losses the Chiefs have had since the start of the 2019-20 season can be chalked up to injuries, or the offense having an off day. Teams must air it out to have a chance. The team being 6-1 with one of the worst run defenses in the league says it all. [Reply]
Originally Posted by AdolfOliverBush:
If the opponent is running the ball, that usually plays right into the Chiefs hands. 60 minutes is not enough time to beat the Chiefs by running the football. Almost all of the losses the Chiefs have had since the start of the 2019-20 season can be chalked up to injuries, or the offense having an off day. Teams must air it out to have a chance. The team being 6-1 with one of the worst run defenses in the league says it all.
To an extent I agree, but a weak run defense puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team. The other phases must be near perfect against a great opponent. A few turnovers or untimely penalties against a team like the Ravens or Steelers and we’ve got some issues. They go up a few scores and they can maul that right side all day. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Delano:
To an extent I agree, but a weak run defense puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team. The other phases must be near perfect against a great opponent. A few turnovers or untimely penalties against a team like the Ravens or Steelers and we’ve got some issues. They go up a few scores and they can maul that right side all day.
I don't sit there and watch specific linebackers, but I saw some nice things from Wilson last week. Granted, I'm sure I missed some lapses if there were some. [Reply]
That is impressive. Although I still can't believe that they gave up 40 to the friggin Carr led Faiders! He hasn't put that much up in 2 games most years. [Reply]
The points per game is also selling this defense short. It's a Top 10 defense by points let up but it's really been better than that. We are a team that will increase the amount of possessions a game. Also since we are always winning, the other team has an incentive to pass more, and we give up garbage scores in the 4th quarter when basically playing prevent.
Yet when I look at DVOA we are only 13th on defense. I would have thought it would be higher than that. [Reply]
