Chiefs through 3 Weeks: Still Kicking Ass, Got the Big One for the Regular Season (Ravens), Now on to Business

[Fountain City Blues]

Chiefs still look very strong as expected for a SB champ. Primary complaints thus far are limited to interior OL play, not unexpected especially with Niang opting out, and the curious case of Mecole Hardman's limited snap counts.

Defense has a CB depth issue which can partially be remedied with the return of Breeland. Truth be told though Breeland was more lucky than good last year at times. Sneed make this CB group look a lot better than it did on paper, but he's now out for a month or two which should put some pretty substantial stress on the secondary. Speaking of which, does Thornhill look a bit tepid his first few games back, or is it just me?

Defense lacks a true edge rusher to compliment Clark. Okafor is hurt and Danna, Charlton, and friends look more like rotational guys to this point. Okafor hasn't shown a whole ton when he has played though. The run D has been pretty bad, and it's not just QB's getting scramble yardage against man D. LB's are still a disaster zone and it really begs the question of what is it going to take to get Gay starting snaps in this LB corp which is sub-replacement level all around. Gone from 0, to 6, to 9 defensive snaps through 3 games.

Special teams outside of Butker has generally been weak, imo. Some length for maybe a random block, but not much else to crow about with this group.

 

[Clayton]

Chiefs really put the aggressive Ravens defense on skates. Crazy deep playbook that had a reverse, a fake screen, a FB screen, and an offensive lineman catching a TD. The Ravens D gets a lot less scary when you realize that Peters has to cover Hill on the outside 1 on 1 and Deshaun Elliot is covering Kelce one on one and rookie LB Queen has to cover CEH. Yeah, the Chiefs got this. The Chiefs offense in general is twice as good when the other team doesn't have a Bosa or a JJ Watt or Von Miller keeping Mahomes honest. If Mahomes can roll out and wait for guys to get open then its a done deal.

Anyways, gotta give Calais Campbell credit for blocking the kick and I think he knocked down a pass. Lots of blame to the kicker (Butker?) who let the Ravens return man run right by him.

If there is a team that can make the Chiefs D pay for its injuries its the Patriots. If the Chiefs get past the Patriots without giving up 30 points then I think they'll be able to hold the defense together throughout the year without much issue.