The Kansas City Chiefs continue to keep things interesting with another walk-off victory in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs mirrored their score from a week ago against the Raiders and defeated the Chargers 19-17 to win their ninth consecutive division title.
This game was largely dependent on the defenses and after a solid first-half showing from the Chiefs. Their defense managed to hold off a late push from Justin Herbert and the Chargers to set their offense up for the victory. Despite certain players having improved performances in this game, there remains an area of improvement for much of the defense. With timely adjustments from Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, his unit was able to do enough to help Kansas City finish another week 1-0. Here are the takeaways from their latest win.
Kansas City Chiefs Dominant First Half Defense
The Chiefs managed to set the tone early on the defensive side of the ball. They were able to hold the Chargers scoreless through the first two quarters, making it only the third time in Herbert’s career that he had been shut out as a starter. The Chiefs’ defense also forced five punts and limited the Chargers to an average of 4.7 yards per play in the first half.
It was clear in the opening two quarters, the defense came out with a different level of intensity than they had shown in previous weeks. They forced multiple three-and-outs stopping Los Angeles from finding any kind of offensive rhythm. The Chiefs’ pass rush also limited Herbert to a little over five yards per attempt as well, preventing explosive plays from happening which had been a recurring trend over their last three games.
Their dominant performance in the first half was needed, especially given their recent struggles. The Chiefs needed a statement performance to open this game, and they delivered just that. Managing to shut out the league’s more dynamic offenses for an entire half gave their offense some cushion to work with as they entered the second half.
Defensive Second-Half Struggles
After playing a near-flawless first half of football on the defensive end, the second half exposed defensive issues that have been seen in recent weeks. The Chargers roared back with two long touchdown drives, erasing the Chiefs’ 13-point lead they had entering the break. Kansas City’s defense allowed three consecutive scoring drives, two of which were over 13 plays.
In this half, the Chiefs’ pass rush’s lack of consistent pressure on Herbert became a problem for Kansas City. Their front four struggled to get home without Spagnuolo having to call blitzes. This gave Herbert time to exploit weaknesses in the secondary, targeting defensive backs like Chamarri Conner and Bryan Cook. Both players have been under the microscope due to the high level of success opposing offenses find when targeting them down the field.
However, even with these struggles, there were still some bright spots in the second half specifically Defensive Tackle Tershawn Wharton who provided clutch plays down the stretch. Wharton recorded a game-high two sacks, including one on the final drive that helped secure the win. His performance was crucial in the Chiefs pulling out this win and being able to lock up their division for another season.
Stand Out Chiefs Performances
There were a few different Chiefs defenders that had game-altering performances in their victory. One was Cornerback Trent McDuffie, who recorded multiple pass breakups and made a timely tackle that ended a Chargers drive which aided them in their first-half shutout. His ability to serve as the team’s eraser in the backend is why he remains at the cornerstone of their defensive identity.
Up next is Linebacker Nick Bolton, the defensive player caller for the Chiefs continued to set the standard for physicality on their defense, delivering hard hits and recording the Chiefs’ only other sack of the game. While he faced a controversial penalty for a hit on Quentin Johnston, it was his intensity that inspired his teammates’ impressive first-half performance and timely stop in the second half to help their team secure another win.
Last but certainly not least was Tershawn Wharton, whose relentless motor and versatility on the defensive line made him arguably the player of the game on this side of the ball. His two sacks, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits not only helped to neutralize the Chargers offense in the first half. They were also vital in limiting the damage they caused in the second half as well. Wharton has been one of the most consistent contributors on this defensive line, and this week’s performance simply reinforced that fact.
Final Thoughts
Another victory from Kansas City once again shows this team at its best, but we were also able to see their vulnerabilities, which have been showing themselves more and more. From their first-half defensive dominance to the second-half lapses, there remain concerns about this defense even after another victory. With the hopes of a three-peat on the horizon, the Chiefs are going to have to tighten up on their lapses in coverage and pressure to compete against elite offenses as the regular season winds down and the postseason begins.
Despite their flaws, the defense has continued to deliver when it matters most. Players like McDuffie, Bolton, and Wharton provide hope for a stronger finish to the season. If Kansas City can build on their first-half showing and mimic that more consistently moving forward, their defense will have a chance to return to its form of being one of it, not the best unit in all of football as they look to make what hopes to be another deep playoff run.
