Five quarterback pressures. That’s what L’Jarius Sneed racked up against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, a career-high mark for the seventh-year defensive back that tells you everything about the Chiefs’ dominant 24-10 win. This wasn’t just a big game for Sneed; it was a blueprint for how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is unlocking his playmaking around the ball.
Sneed Unleashed: Slot Blitz Maestro
The Chiefs went all-in on L’Jarius Sneed’s versatility against Miami, and it paid off huge. He played 53 snaps, and get this: 33 of those were aligned in the slot! We’ve seen Sneed cover, but seeing him come downhill like that was something else. Spagnuolo sent him after the quarterback on seven plays as a blitzer, and Next Gen Stats credited him with those five pressures, a career-best for the guy. He also caused a pivotal turnover that basically sealed the deal. When your defensive coordinator is putting you in position to rack up numbers like that and change the game, you know he trusts you to be a difference-maker. The dude is built for disrupting offenses, and the Dolphins found out the hard way.
Auxiliary Pass Catchers Stepping Up Big Time
While Sneed was wrecking the defensive side, the Chiefs offense was showing off some seriously underrated depth. Tight end Noah Gray played his fewest offensive snaps of the season with 33, but he still grabbed the second-most catches on the team with three. His 24-yard reception on the sideline to get the Chiefs into the red zone late in the game? That’s clutch. Second-year tight end Jake Briningstool got his first career start, lining up with Travis Kelce and Gray in a 13-personnel set for a play-action pass to Kelce. That’s smart coaching, giving the young guys a taste. Second-year wide receiver Jalen Royals, making his season debut last week, played 10 snaps and recorded an 11-yard catch that moved the chains in the second half. Getting these impactful plays from pass catchers below Patrick Mahomes’ top-shelf guys is huge for the offense. Rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen got just one snap in this game, bringing his season total to five, so that’s a spot to watch.
Woods Outsnaps Tonga on D-Line
Another interesting note from the defensive side of the ball: Peter Woods outsnapped Khyiris Tonga. It’s a small detail, but these kinds of early season trends in snap counts can tell you a lot about who’s gaining favor and who’s getting more opportunities to make an impact in the trenches.
So, what does all this mean? The Chiefs are finding creative ways to leverage their talent, from Sneed blowing up plays to unexpected heroes stepping up on offense. If they keep getting these career-high performances and seeing guys like Gray and Royals deliver in critical moments, this team is only going to get tougher. Get ready, the league is on notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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