In Week 9, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New York Jets35-12 to move to 6-2. Here are 4 instant takeaways from the game:
1. Kenneth Walker reinforces his importance to team success
After the Chiefs’ first two losses of the season, both games featured far less of running back Kenneth Walker than the initial five-game start, the offense got back on track by featuring its top playmaker. The lead back finished with 143 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over 22 touches.
Most of his production came through the air: for his first score, he leaked into
the opposite flat in the red zone and outflanked his coverage responsibility to finish off a seven-yard touchdown pass. On the second, he caught a screen pass and, with great blocks from right guard Trey Smith and left guard Kingsley Suamataia, ran down the right sideline into the end zone from 25 yards away.
Still, his carries showcased his individual talent the most. As he chipped away at 102 rushing yards, he was constantly staying up through contact or making defenders grasp at air with his elusiveness. The threat of his gashes opened things up against the Denver Broncos last week, and that continued alongside his own impactful gains against New York.
It certainly made a difference to have Suamataia back on the field, but the game plan to lean on Walker was smart and effective. He is the engine of an in-rhythm offense in Kansas City.
2. The Chiefs’ pass rush is heating up
Whatever criticism the Chiefs’ pass rush faced heading into this game, it was silenced.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones needs to be more impactful? How about two big-time sacks all by himself? He beat a guard quickly on one play, then flew around the right edge before plowing quarterback Geno Smith into the grass in the fourth quarter.
Defensive end George Karlaftis needs to do more than bat balls down? How about finishing with two sacks, another tackle for loss, and a separate quarterback hit? Oh yeah, and he also batted a pass down. He is now the team leader in both passes defended (9) and sacks(4).
Other players need to win around Jones and Karlaftis? Defensive end Ashton Gillotte was relentless on his way to a sack that cost the offense 14 yards. Kansas City had five sacks, and none of them came from a blitz.
3. Weak links in pass protection can’t be hidden
Right tackle Jaylon Moore (ankle) left the game in the second half and didn’t return; Joshua Ezeudu replaced him. Before he went out, Moore was having a very hard time with Jets’ rookie edge rusher David Bailey — the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft. The phenom finished with two sacks, two forced fumbles, and an additional quarterback hit.
The biggest hit he allowed left Mahomes with a hurt throwing elbow late in the first half. The two-time MVP walked to the sideline with his right arm hanging loose, but never missed a snap and didn’t let the injury noticeably hamper him more than the constant pressure itself did.
The Jets registered eight quarterback hits and two sacks over 34 dropbacks by Mahomes, despite the offense having a rhythm for much of the game. It speaks to Kansas City’s lack of answers for an elite edge rusher like Bailey when those matchups come up in the future.
4. *cringes* It’s Justin Tucker time
After the 51-yard miss in perfect football conditions at his home stadium — which followed a 56-yard miss negated by a penalty — the era of kicker Harrison Butker feels all but over. Get ready for Justin Tucker to kick for the team against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.
