After watching Charles Omenihu’s season debut last week, Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones believes the team’s defense can reach another level.
Omenihu had a sack and batted a ball that turned into an interception against the Chargers, and the Chiefs had four sacks against quarterback Justin Herbert. Now the Chiefs will face the Broncos at 3:25 p.m. Sunday in Denver.
“I think we can continue to build off that,” Jones said of the Chiefs defensive line. “I think our best game is ahead of us. We’re building chemistry along the defensive line having Charles in there, and everyone is able to move around.
“We’ve got Mike Danna, who can play a 3-technique, or a bump on the outside. We’ve got George (Karlaftis) who is getting accustomed to being moved around. And every guy in the room is interchangeable on pass rush. So I think it’s a plus for the D-line.”
The Chiefs (6-1) have recorded 22 sacks this season with Jones leading the team with 5.5 despite missing the season opener against Detroit. The Chiefs defense is second in the league in points allowed — having yet to allow 20 points in a game — and seventh in total yards.
With a little more experience, and patience as a whole for the defense, Jones says it could be the most dominant in the league. But that’s not the focus right now.
“I think it’s more about being better than we were last week,” Jones said. “We don’t want to put that weight on anyone’s shoulders. We’ve got a lot of young guys, and a lot of guys still growing. So, as a whole, you want to just be better than you were last week.
“And at the end of the year, if we continue to do that, I think we have the potential to be one of the best defenses in the league. But right now, it’s not about being the best defense in the league. It’s about being the best we can be week in and week out.”
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes the way the defensive line compliments the linebackers, even with the loss of Nick Bolton to a wrist injury.
“The way the guys have been operating, I think the combination of the linemen that we have with the linebackers makes a big difference,” Spagnuolo said. “They can all operate in multiple calls. and that’s a credit to them and how they work during the week and their football get it.”
Last time out against the Broncos, the Chiefs sacked Wilson four times and picked him off twice. The Chiefs defense has also been successful this season avoiding roughing-the-passer penalties, and Jones is hopeful that will continue.
“It’s still early,” Jones said with a laugh. “Let’s just keep the fingers crossed and making sure we roll and hit in the area we’re supposed to hit in. Coach Spags does a good job, especially on Saturday giving us tips on the game. He always brings up hits on the quarterback, where you can and can’t hit them.
“And we always keep that in the back of our head, especially playing a guy like Russell Wilson. When you get close to him, he’s able to duck. And me being 6-foot-6, trying to get low, that makes it easier for hits to the head. And it’s easy to kind of land on top of him. So body weight shifting and trying to protect ourselves from any injuries.”
BUTKER, MCKINNON MISS PRACTICE
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (illness) and running back Jerick McKinnon (groin) missed Thursday’s practice. Special team’s coordinator Dave Toub, however, said Butker would likely play against the Broncos.
ROOTING FOR THE RANGERS
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be cheering for the Texas Rangers when they play the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series, which begins Friday. Mahomes, who grew up in Tyler, Texas, attended the Fall Classic as a kid.
“I was a big Rangers fan, especially those high school years when they were getting to the World Series,” Mahomes said. “They ended up losing two of them. I was able to go to some of those games. I was a Rangers fan. I guess, they’re my team when the Royals aren’t in contention. So I’m happy for them to get to the World Series.”
