The Kansas City Chiefs returned to the training facility Tuesday to begin preparations for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo leading a meeting focused on where the unit must improve. Chief among those areas is the defense's lack of a single sack over the past month. The Chiefs, undefeated at 4-0, are hoping that trend ends against a Chargers team that has struggled to protect quarterback Justin Herbert, who has been sacked at least twice in every game. The Chargers, 0-5, were missing several starting offensive linemen when Herbert was sacked five times in their loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Chiefs rank 27th in pass rush win rate, generating pressure within 2.5 seconds just 45% of the time. That concern was highlighted in their comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders, where quarterback Kirk Cousins was pressured on just 34.6% of his drops and was the least mobile passer Kansas City has faced this season. Coach Andy Reid said the team has kept the quarterback busy with pressure, but acknowledged that sacks remain the goal. Defensive tackle Chris Jones pointed to costly penalties as a major problem, and a late holding penalty by L'Jarius Sneed nullified a sack of Cousins that could have stalled a Raiders rally.
Defensive end George Karlaftis said the players are motivated and working together, while acknowledging that missed opportunities have hurt them. Last season the Chiefs recorded just 35 sacks, the fifth fewest in the league, and entering the Chargers game they had only three, tied with the Miami Dolphins for among the league's lowest totals.
The Chiefs believe their pressure is generating results even without sacks, but the team knows the lack of finishing plays must improve. Against a Chargers offense missing key blockers, Kansas City sees an opportunity to get back in the win column with a stronger rush.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing