The Kansas City Chiefs secured their fifth consecutive victory of the 2024 season with a 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. This win not only solidified their undefeated record but also highlighted the exceptional performance of their defense. As the Kansas City Chiefs head into their Week 6 bye, the defense has become the story of their season, consistently stifling opponents and making critical plays when needed.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has crafted one of the most formidable defenses in the NFL. Led by star Defensive Lineman Chris Jones, the unit showcased its strength once again in Week 5. Jones, along with a group of emerging playmakers, dominated the Saints’ offensive line, limiting their ability to establish any offensive rhythm throughout the game.
Chris Jones’ Dominance and Defensive Line Impact
Chris Jones was the clear defensive standout, earning a 93.2 Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade for his effort. Jones’ ability to apply pressure was a key factor in disrupting the Saints offense. With six quarterback pressures and two key tackles, Jones anchored a defensive front that consistently forced Derek Carr into hurried decisions and ineffective throws.
The Kansas City Chiefs run defense also played a significant role in limiting Saints star Running Back Alvin Kamara. Kamara was held to just 26 rushing yards on 11 carries, averaging a mere 2.4 yards per attempt. The Saints, as a team, were limited to just 46 total rushing yards. The Chiefs’ front seven showed impressive discipline, shedding blocks and filling gaps, making it nearly impossible for the Saints’ rushing attack to gain momentum.
Kansas City’s ability to stop the run has quietly been one of its most important attributes. By forcing teams to become one-dimensional, the Kansas City Chiefs gain an advantage, particularly when paired with their potent pass rush. It’s this ability to shut down opposing run games that often force teams into passing situations, playing directly into Spagnuolo’s hands.
A Well-Timed Pass Rush and Defensive Adjustments
The Kansas City Chiefs pass rush was relentless, pressuring Saints quarterbacks on 55.3% of dropbacks. Spagnuolo’s defense dialed up 14 blitzes, but the sheer effectiveness of the defensive front made it seem like even more. The Saints struggled to find any open targets, with Kansas City’s defense allowing only 2.8 yards of separation on average per target.
Kansas City’s defense excelled on third down, forcing New Orleans into challenging situations. They held the Saints to multiple “three-and-outs,” and when New Orleans tried to convert on fourth down, the Kansas City Chiefs stood tall, forcing two turnovers on downs. The defense’s ability to adjust and tighten in critical moments has been key to their success this season.
After allowing just 13 points to the Saints, the Kansas City Chiefs now rank in the top five in the NFL for both points allowed and total yards allowed per game. Their ability to limit opposing offenses, combined with a deadly pass rush, is reminiscent of their Super Bowl-winning season in 2023, where the defense hit its stride midseason.
Nick Bolton’s Continued Emergence
Nick Bolton has steadily improved after a slow start to the season. His performance in Week 5 was arguably his best yet, recording 11 tackles, seven of which were stops within three yards of the line of scrimmage. Bolton’s aggressive play and ability to diagnose run plays helped shut down Kamara and keep the New Orleans offense off balance.
Bolton, like Jones, earned a high PFF grade for his effort, with a 90.8 rating. His performance against the Saints was a continuation of his strong Week 4 showing. As the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs’ linebacking corps, Bolton’s instincts and physicality are critical to the defense’s success. He’s been crucial in helping Kansas City maintain its top-tier status in stopping the run.
This recent string of strong performances indicates Bolton is gaining momentum as the season progresses. His ability to not only make tackles but also shoot gaps effectively shows his growth as a linebacker and adds another layer to Kansas City’s stout defensive unit.
Final Thoughts
The Chiefs’ defense has been nothing short of dominant through five weeks of the 2024 season. Their ability to shut down both the run and pass, while forcing turnovers, has positioned them as one of the league’s elite units. Chris Jones continues to be a game-changer, and Nick Bolton’s improved play only strengthens their chances of maintaining this dominance as they move deeper into the season.
As the Kansas City Chiefs enter their Week 6 bye, the defense is building momentum that could carry to another deep postseason run. With Kansas City’s offense still figuring some things out, the combination of a suffocating defense and offense led by Patrick Mahomes makes them a fierce challenge for any team to overcome.
The defense’s consistency in holding opponents to under 28 points for 26 consecutive games is a testament to their resilience and the brilliance of Spagnuolo’s scheme. The Kansas City Chiefs are not just winning games—they’re doing so with a defense that could be the key to them accomplishing history this season.
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