kansascity
The Kansas City Chiefs currently boast the best record in the AFC and stand as the conference's lone undefeated team. They are also the only AFC squad to have already had their bye week, which came in Week 5. While an early bye forces teams into a grueling 13-game stretch without a break, the Chiefs likely welcome the extra rest for Rashee Rice's hamstring to heal.
However, the road ahead is more challenging. So far, Kansas City has played the seventh-easiest schedule in the NFL, but according to FTN Fantasy's DVOA metrics, they will face the ninth-hardest schedule over the remainder of the season. To keep their momentum going, here are three areas where the Chiefs can improve:
1. Pass Rush
The pass rush is the most obvious area for improvement. Ten defensive players have started at least three of the first four games, and half of them were not with the team last year. This defensive overhaul was always going to take time. In 2022, a similar midseason defensive reset saw the Chiefs allow 369 yards per game before their Week 8 bye, then just 299 yards per game afterward. For a similar turnaround, the pass rush must improve.
Only one team has fewer than the Chiefs' three sacks, despite Kansas City often playing with a lead and having ample chances to rush the passer. There were encouraging signs in Week 5: although they didn't sack Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins, they pressured him 18 times. George Karlaftis accounted for 11 of those pressures, per PFF, tying for the most by any player in a single game this season. But the production must come from more than just Karlaftis. Chris Jones, 32, has started slowly with only 11 pressures in four games. Rookie edge rusher Mason Thomas, a second-round pick, has shown flashes, while first-rounder Peter Woods has been slower to develop. Both are only a month into their NFL careers and should improve with experience. The Chiefs could certainly use that growth.
2. Get Rookies Up to Speed on Offense
While the defense has been forced to rely on young talent, the offense has been more hesitant to play rookies by choice. Wide receiver Cyrus Allen, a fifth-round pick, had an excellent first half of training camp, but the Chiefs appear to be waiting for him to grasp the offense more quickly before giving him a larger role. He has yet to record his first career catch and has played only 10 offensive snaps. With Tyquan Thornton possibly out for the season after ankle surgery, Allen's development could allow the Chiefs to shuffle other pieces. The best way to accelerate his progress is to get him on the field.
It's not just Allen. Fellow fifth-round pick Emmett Johnson, a running back, also needs reps. The goal isn't to take Kenneth Walker off the field, but to make the Chiefs comfortable enough to give Walker breaks and keep him fresh for January and February. Walker was at his best in the playoffs for Seattle last year, rushing for 313 yards and four touchdowns, but he carried only 212 times in the regular season. This year, he ranks second in the NFL with 87 rushing attempts, on pace for 370. Reducing his workload could pay off late in the season.
3. Protection
Patrick Mahomes has been pressured less frequently than one might expect. According to PFF, 22 quarterbacks have been under pressure more often, and Next Gen Stats ranks the Chiefs as the third-least pressured team in the league. However, the pressure is coming from a specific area: the tackles. Right tackle Jaylon Moore leads the NFL with nine quick pressures allowed (and 13 total), while no other player has allowed more than seven. Left tackle Khalil Benson isn't far behind with six allowed.
This brings up an uncomfortable but familiar question: How soon can Josh Simmons get on the field? Simmons has been out since training camp with what head coach Andy Reid recently called a bulging disc in his back. The Chiefs never placed him on injured reserve, indicating they hoped to have him in the lineup by now. The offense ranks third in the NFL in yards per game without him, but he plays a position of need. Getting Simmons back could solidify the protection and help the Chiefs navigate their tougher schedule.
Originally reported by kansascity.