Offensive players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce first come to mind when the Kansas City Chiefs are mentioned. After all, that tandem is invaluable during their two Super Bowl-winning seasons in four years.
However, their defense, led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, is getting the job done, especially during the postseason. Limiting their opponent’s scoring in the fourth quarter brought them to another Super Bowl appearance.
The Chiefs’ defense allowed zero fourth-quarter points in the Wild Card Round against the Miami Dolphins. A week later, they shut down the Buffalo Bills in the final frame to win the Divisional Round on the road.
Finally, they gave up three points in the last chapter to the Baltimore Ravens to become back-to-back AFC Champions. Factoring in the third quarter, the Chiefs have surrendered ten points in six quarters. Getting those stops was necessary for Kansas City to escape with a three-point victory over Buffalo and a seven-point win versus Baltimore.
Chiefs defense points allowed in the 4th quarter this postseason:
— PFF (@PFF) January 30, 2024
0 points vs Dolphins
0 points vs Bills
3 points vs Ravens pic.twitter.com/Wxco1M8WFy
Kansas City will need their impressive defense against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Figuring a way to slow down Kyle Shanahan’s scheme will help the Chiefs become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the 2003-04 New England Patriots.
They must figure out how to slow down the Niners’ offensive juggernaut featuring Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle. Spagnuolo and his staff must devise a solid game plan without Charles Omenihu, who is already out due to an ACL tear.
-Lance Fernandez