The Kansas City Chiefs defense has imposed its will on opposing offenses throughout the first six games of the season.
But the team’s defensive performance against rival Denver on Thursday had to taste a little sweeter. The Chiefs (5-1) yielded just one touchdown and one two-point conversion in a 19-8 win at Arrowhead Stadium.
“I’m excited for where we’re going,” said Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton. “We keep trending in the right direction. Our guys are getting more comfortable playing with each other and executing the game plan. Guys know everybody’s going to be in the right spot at the right time. Everybody’s flying to the football and most importantly we’re having fun doing it. If we can keep that up every single week, it’ll be special.”
The Chiefs are second in the NFL at allowing just 14.7 points per game, and the defense ranks fifth yielding just 284 yards per game. Bolton said experience has helped them play even better than last year’s team.
“Everybody’s used to where everybody’s supposed to be at,” Bolton said. “And you got guys coming back that’s been in the same scheme and the same positions and everybody’s playing a little bit faster than they were last year. I feel like that’s a testament to everybody’s offseason.”
Bolton, who missed the last three weeks with an ankle sprain, made the most of his return to the lineup. Bolton had four tackles, an interception and one pass defended. Even though Bolton didn’t play last week against the Vikings, one play stood out on film, and he was ready for it against the Broncos (1-5).
“We played the Vikings last week and we kind of missed that route, the running back to the flat, and a curl and a vertical route, and we missed it by two or three yards,” Bolton said. “I just knew that play was going to come. Short week, so we figured they’d try to hit plays that we weren’t good at. And so I saw the same picture and the same play so I was able to get in that window and make the play.”
The Chiefs held Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson to just 95 yards passing and two interceptions with safety Justin Reid getting the other one.
“Our defense was incredible tonight, as they have been,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I think at halftime they only had 39 yards or so passing and that’s quite a feat.”
When Bolton was out of the lineup for three games, Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal played well alongside Willie Gay. But the depth in the Chiefs linebacker room goes beyond that.
“We have about four or five starters in our room,” Bolton said. “And those guys since training camp and OTAs, they pride themselves on wanting to learn and involving themselves mentally and learn the scheme.
“Those guys come in every single day, and I wouldn’t expect anything else from them. They give me all the confidence in the world every single week.”
