The 2023 regular season is only two weeks old, but many surprises are already around the league. The early preseason predictions and expectations for specific teams have been reassessed and are getting criticized or, in some cases, praised.
The Kansas City Chiefs defense doesn’t usually get front-page headlines compared to the high-powered offense. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit has demanded respect over the years, and their play through two weeks has warranted it from their head coach and opponents.
Buy Chiefs TicketsChiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie spoke with the media following Wednesday’s practice about the defense’s mindset that helped lead the team to victory last Sunday against Jacksonville.
“Honestly, I think it’s just coming off last year; we were a young group, we had to learn a lot,” McDuffie explained. “It’s like the whole defense came back again this year, and over OTAs and training camp, I feel like we’ve grown really close as a group, as far as unit-wise, and just overall as a defense, and I think a lot of guys kind of just come in here and just are willing to work each and every day.
“And that can be huge as far as just in the future, knowing that you’re just going to continue to stack days. And I think that’s what coach Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) is talking about. It just there’s a bunch of group of guys that are just like, well, here to do their job and do it at the best they can.”
McDuffie notably forced a fumble in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions and prevented a touchdown pass meant for Jaguars receiver Zay Jones last Sunday.
“Like I said, we’re hungry,” McDuffie said. “I know, off of last year, based off of just stats and everything that went on. Yeah, we won the Super Bowl. But I know this defense definitely felt like we could have done more and produced more in coming to this year, this is something that we definitely had been looking at and want to continue to succeed with and show that, yeah, just because last week and the week before we held him to 9,14 points like this is a defense that’s going to continue to do that and be consistent with it.”
The Chiefs’ defense has allowed a total of 23 points through two games, including the impressive outing against the Jaguars. The Trevor Lawrence-led team boasts multiple weapons but failed each attempt to score a touchdown as Kansas City’s defense held firm in the victory.
