The Kansas City Chiefs have surprised with a 4-0 start to the regular season before their Week 5 bye. It has been mostly due to the offense as running back Kenneth Walker III has been a revelation for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Co. Mahomes returned quicker than expected from a torn ACL and LCL that ended his 2025 campaign, and Walker’s addition has opened up the deep pass for him.
That said, if they want to go deep into the playoffs, they’re going to need the defense to step up. Through four games, the offense has scored 29.5 points per game. In two of those games, they needed every point as they won each by just three points. The Chiefs’ defense is among the bottom of the barrel in the league with just four sacks. They haven’t had a sack since the season opener against the Denver Broncos Sept. 14. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is known for his aggressive usage of blitzes. The blitzers just aren’t getting to the quarterback.
The Los Angeles Chargers were supposed to be fighting for a playoff spot, but they come to Arrowhead Sunday a desperate 0-5 team. Quarterback Justin Herbert is among the worst in the league having been sacked 17 times. He has thrown just five touchdown passes with seven interceptions. He was intercepted 13 times all last season in 16 games.
All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones has had a quiet start to the season with 11 total tackles and no sacks through four games. Pro Football Focus rates him 32nd among 131 qualified defensive linemen with a 68.5 grade. So, he has played better than the numbers indicate. Much of the same can be said for defensive end George Karlaftis, who has 15 tackles, no sacks and an interception through four games. PFF rates him 26th of 106 edge rushers with a 75.7 overall grade. His 19 pressures rank 10th in the NFL.
They just need to start getting home when the Chargers come to town Sunday.
