Here's the deal:

Spags was brought in to retool the defense and do what he did two times in his career before joining the Chiefs in 2019, and that's simply to build a legit top-10 defense in KC.

Well, he's still trying to make that happen entering his fifth year as the Chiefs' DC.

In his favor, the defense has been retooled at all levels, sporting one of the best LB corps that KC fans have ever seen, and of course yet another solid DB unit that promises to be as fast and athletic as any in recent memory.

The question marks in 2023 are pretty much centered along the DL, though CJ is still the centerpiece and he's still one of the top-2 best DLs in the league. However, the rest of the DTs, including Nnadi, Shelton, Coburn (R), and Wharton may be little more than placeholders/rotational depth. Most of us believe that Coburn, drafted this spring, should quickly become a solid starter in KC, and be an able replacement for the departed Saunders.

The EDGEs look like a more capable group with more than three months to go before the first regular season game, with high expectations for Karlaftis' 2nd season, and both Omenihu (brought over from SF) and FAU also drafted in 2023 being key role players on the new DL.


So, as I said, expectations are high. Even PFN has predicted the Chiefs defense to begin the season no worse than 13th.

But can they do better, and finally achieve what Spags' defenses have been unable to claim since his hiring in 2019?


It won't be easy, btw. A look at the 2023 schedule reveals a tough opening two and a half months before the bye.

Week 1: DET

Week 2: @JAX

Week 3: CHI

Week 4: @NYJ

Week 5: @MIN

Week 6: DEN

Week 7: LAC

Week 8: @DEN

Week 9: MIA

Week 10: BYE


Six of those teams boast solid rushing attacks, a predicted weakness for the Chiefs defense, again in 2023. Six were among the top-10 ranked offenses. Three were ranked in the top-10 on defense.

Playoff predictions are almost foolish at this early date, but it looks like the Chiefs might face as many as five, or even six, playoff teams in the first ten weeks of the season.

So the question is, can Spags and his defense build on what they were able to accomplish last season and break into the ranks of the top-10 defenses in the NFL in 2023? Facing what could be a murders' row of playoff-bound teams one after the other until the bye on 11/5?


The first nine weeks of the 2023 season cold decide the post-season fate of the Kansas City Chiefs.
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