The Kansas City Chiefs defense rose to the challenge in a 26-25 walk-off victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2 of the NFL season. Despite multiple offensive turnovers, the defense made critical plays to secure the win. Key moments included a fourth-quarter turnover and well-timed stops, limiting the Bengals to just one touchdown in the second half. While the performance was solid overall, lingering issues with coverage and tackling remain a concern.
Kansas City’s defense stepped up when needed, but their vulnerability in defending tight ends and tackling efficiency persisted. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will need to address these areas before the Chiefs’ next matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Chiefs Defense Clutch Plays
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In a game where the offense struggled with turnovers, the Chiefs defense delivered in crucial moments. One of the biggest plays came in the fourth quarter when Mike Danna and Tershawn Wharton combined for a sack on Joe Burrow, forcing a fumble that safety Chamarri Conner returned for a 38-yard touchdown. This game-changing play gave Kansas City the lead, proving decisive in the end.
Another key moment occurred late in the fourth quarter, with less than three minutes remaining. On a third-and-6, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo called a perfectly timed blitz that allowed Conner to sack Burrow for a 9-yard loss, forcing a punt. The Chiefs’ defense showed resilience in critical moments, keeping Kansas City in the game despite offensive struggles.
Chris Jones also played a major role, tallying seven quarterback pressures, including a sack. His relentless pressure on Burrow set up the fumble that led to Conner’s touchdown, proving vital in disrupting the Bengals’ offensive rhythm.
Struggles in Coverage and Tackling Continue
Despite the win, the Chiefs’ defense continued to struggle in coverage, particularly against the Bengals’ tight ends. Cincinnati’s tight ends combined for 14 catches and 151 yards, with Mike Gesicki leading with seven receptions for 91 yards. Rookie Erick All Jr. and veteran Drew Sample added a combined 60 yards. This area of concern was evident in Week 1 and carried over into Week 2.
Linebacker Nick Bolton has been a focal point of these coverage issues. Despite tying for the team lead with seven total tackles (five solo), Bolton allowed five completions on five targets. His 73.9 Pro Football Focus (PFF) coverage grade ranked third on the team, underscoring his mixed performance. While leading in tackles, Bolton’s inability to prevent completions shows the inconsistency in his play.
Tackling efficiency also dipped in Week 2. The Chiefs registered 66 total tackles, down from 72 in Week 1. Linebacker Leo Chenal, however, had a standout game, receiving PFF’s highest run defense (78.5) and coverage (86.4) grades on the team, helping to keep Kansas City’s defense formidable in critical moments. Still, the team as a whole needs to improve both in coverage and tackling.
Pass Rush and Defensive Ratings
The Chiefs showed significant improvement in their pass rush, recording three sacks after managing just one in Week 1. Chris Jones led the charge with a team-high 90.2 pass-rush grade. Meanwhile, the duo of Danna and Wharton combined for a sack that forced the game-turning fumble.
Kansas City’s defense also posted multiple quarterback hits, a marked improvement from their lone hit in Week 1. Leo Chenal earned PFF’s highest defensive grade at 86.5, while cornerback Trent McDuffie followed with a solid 77.2. However, other defenders like cornerback Joshua Williams struggled, earning a 30.0 coverage grade. Linebacker Drue Tranquil also had a tough game, allowing an 80% completion rate when targeted and posting a 36.0 coverage grade.
Despite Bolton’s coverage struggles, his versatility and leadership remain vital for the Chiefs’ defense. Improving his pass defense will be crucial moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately Kansas City’s defense delivered when it mattered most to secure the win over Cincinnati, but their coverage and tackling woes remain areas of concern. The Chiefs will hit the road for the first time this season to face the Falcons on Sunday Night Football this weekend.
With the Chiefs’ offense battling injuries, their defense will need to find a way to quickly address these issues. Kansas City defensively is going to have to be able to step up and help compensate for the key players missing on the offense.
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