Examining Chiefs' pass rush against Lions without Chris Jones

The Kansas City Chiefs' defense put on an interesting performance in their opening game, despite missing their star pass rusher. The defense showed creativity and had success with their sub fronts, generating pressure and a sack. However, as the game went on, the Lions found ways to exploit the Chiefs' situational fronts. The Chiefs' defense did a good job against the run but struggled in the pass rush department. With the return of their star pass rusher, the Chiefs' defense will be even stronger and more unpredictable. Players like Danna and Anudike-Uzomah also showed promise.

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a narrow defeat in their first game of the 2023 season, losing 21-20 to the Detroit Lions. While much of the criticism was directed towards the offense, the defense put together an intriguing performance despite the absence of their star pass rusher, Chris Jones.

With Jones still holding out at the time (he has since signed), the defense had to get creative in order to compensate for his absence. They employed various defensive line fronts, but primarily relied on their base front and sub front, which is a speed rush package.

The base front proved effective against the run but struggled to generate pressure without blitzing. On the other hand, the sub fronts were much more successful, generating eight pressures and a sack.

To maintain a strong run defense while also applying pressure on crucial downs, the Chiefs utilized their base front in early downs and running situations, while deploying their sub fronts in passing situations. This strategy worked initially, but as the game progressed, the Lions began to mix up their play-calling, throwing the ball more frequently on early downs.

In the second half, the Lions significantly increased the number of passes they threw on early downs, taking advantage of the Chiefs' reliance on their base front. This allowed them to pass with little resistance and ultimately led to their game-winning touchdown.

At the start of the game, the Chiefs had George Karalftis and Mike Danna at the defensive end positions, with Derrick Nnaddi and Matt Dickerson at the 1-technique and 3-technique, respectively. The Lions possessed a formidable offensive line and run game in the previous season, so the Chiefs aimed to prevent being overpowered by opting for a run-stuffing front.

The Lions only managed to average 3.5 yards per rush, indicating that the heavier base front successfully fulfilled its purpose against the run. However, it did not yield the same success in the pass rush department. In the fourth quarter, the Lions executed a play-action pass out of heavy personnel on first down, resulting in a 33-yard gain that set up the game-winning touchdown.

With Nnadi and Dickerson focused on stopping the run from the inside, the Chiefs' edge defenders, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Malik Herring, provided limited pass rush and struggled to transition from playing the run to rushing the passer.

As a result, Lions quarterback Jared Goff had ample time to throw the ball, connecting with Josh Reynolds on a deep comeback route. This play exemplified the Lions' ability to exploit the Chiefs' need to adjust their fronts based on the situation.

The Chiefs found the most success in pressuring Goff when utilizing their sub fronts, with Anudike-Uzomah, Wharton, Danna, and Karlaftis leading the way.

The Chiefs' "speed" front positioned Danna in a wide 3-technique, allowing him to utilize his quickness and leverage. Danna quickly engaged with the left guard, pressing him into the pocket and making Goff uncomfortable. Despite Goff stepping up in the pocket, Danna disengaged and brought him down for the only sack of the game.

Anudike-Uzomah was responsible for creating pressure off the edge in limited snaps as a pass rusher. On a third down-and-long play, the Chiefs deployed a sub front with linebackers showing blitz. Anudike-Uzomah engaged with left tackle Taylor Decker, driving him into the backfield and forcing Goff to release the ball quicker than desired. Although the pass was completed, it fell short of the first down marker. Anudike-Uzomah's performance showcased his potential early in his career.

Unfortunately, the lack of pass rush from the base front allowed the Lions to anticipate the Chiefs' pass-rush plans as the game progressed. On a crucial third down, the Chiefs utilized their speed front to set up a blitz. L'Jarius Sneed lined up in the slot but failed to reach the quarterback, while Karlaftis dropped into coverage. Goff successfully completed a pass just beyond Karlaftis' reach. This sequence highlighted the Chiefs' decision to blitz due to their lack of trust in the speed front's ability to generate sufficient pressure. The Lions were able to read the Chiefs' intentions based on Sneed's positioning.

The Chiefs' defense cannot be solely blamed for the loss to the Lions, as they performed admirably in stopping the run and keeping the team in the game. However, it was evident that they missed their key disruptor, especially in the latter stages of the game.

With Jones ending his holdout and returning to the defensive line, the Chiefs will now have a game-changing force that adds unpredictability to their defensive schemes. This will make it even more challenging for opponents to decipher Spagnuolo's creative fronts and pressures.

It is also encouraging to see promising performances from players like Danna and Anudike-Uzomah, who showcased flashes of their potential throughout the game.

While the defensive front fell just short in the opening game, the upcoming weekend presents an opportunity to witness the pass rush at full strength.