The Kansas City Chiefs’ pass rush just logged what might be its least impactful performance of the entire season in their recent 28-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. According to ESPN analytics, the defense generated a measly two pressures over 34 dropbacks by Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Remember how they harassed Nix with four sacks and two additional quarterback hits in that season-opening win just two months ago? That feels like ages ago after this Week 8 showing. The defense actually played the game plan well without pressure through three quarters, but man, the pass rush itself was a no-show.
Chris Jones on the Inside is a Different Beast
Watching the game back, it’s clear the Chiefs’ rush looked its absolute best when defensive tackle Chris Jones lined up where he thrives most of the time: inside, over the guard in a 3-technique or 4i alignment. Early on, third-and-2, linebacker Drue Tranquill blitzes and takes out the only guy who could help right guard Quinn Meinerz on Jones. What happens? Jones gets a one-on-one, explodes off the line, flies through Meinerz’s outside shoulder, and is in the pocket instantly. Yeah, a quick pass negates the full sack, but Jones had hands on Nix. That’s the kind of disruption we know he can bring. Jones was in the B-gap on half his plays in Denver, 24 of 48, typically on neutral downs or third-and-short. On a later third-and-4, with Nix’s dropback a bit more drawn out, Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis bull rushed the two right-side linemen, forcing Nix to feel them, and Karlaftis even got a hand on the pass. Jones’s size, that 6-foot-6 frame, is a massive asset. He’s hard to see over, and even when blocked, he disrupts a dropback from the front of the pocket. When downs get longer, Jones usually shifts outside the tackle, with Felix Anudike-Uzomah becoming a key interior rusher, like when he blew up a screen pass in Denver. But honestly, Jones is just most impactful when he’s rushing from the front of that pocket.
Winning the One-on-Ones
After the game, Chris Jones didn’t mince words. He said the Chiefs *needed* to “win on one-on-ones,” and he called it a “big emphasis.” That includes him, sure, but it also means the pass rushers around him gotta step up and capitalize on the attention Jones commands. On one second-and-18, the Chiefs’ pass rush even ran a stunt that seemed designed to invite Nix to move forward and to the right of the pocket. Jones is a force, but he can’t do it all alone. George Karlaftis did grab the team’s only sack of the afternoon, though it came on a drawn-out play action where Denver inexplicably left a tight end to block him on the back side. Karlaftis also now holds the NFL lead in batted passes with seven. It’s clear the talent is there, but if Jones is calling out the need to win individual battles, then it’s time for the entire pass rush unit to answer that call.
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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