Chiefs Super Bowl preview part 2; How Steve Spagnuolo could attack the Eagles
Looking at a few ideas I would tinker with if I were the Chiefs' defensive coordinator
The Chiefs are playing in the Super Bowl… again.
What a strange time it is to be a Chiefs fan. By once again making it to the NFL’s biggest stage, Kansas City has solidified themselves as the most successful franchise over the NFL’s last 5 seasons. Even in a year that was to be a “retooling” (not a rebuild, of course!), where they overhauled the defense and made a big change on offense, all roads lead back to Mahomes and company taking a shot at the Lombardi.
And so, we’re celebrating by previewing the big game in a 3-part preview. In part 1, I wrote about some questions I have regarding the Eagles’ defense based on their 2022 opponents. Today, in part 2, I’ll be talking about the Chiefs defense and some ways they could try and attack a terrific Eagles offense.
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense.
Wait, that’s confusing when talking about football. I don’t mean… not the offensive side of the football! I meant it in the colloquial way. You know, like attacking and stuff. All right, forget I used the word “offense.” Let’s try this again.
Sometimes the best way to play defense is to attack.
(crushed that intro)
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is no stranger to the idea that sometimes the best way to stop opposing offenses is to get after them rather than trying to stop what they’re doing. There’s a reason “Spags gonna Spags” is an actual thing you’ll hear people who cover the league say. For as long as he’s been calling defenses, Spagnuolo has been willing to dial up heat on opposing quarterbacks and force them to make the right read pre-and-post snap.
The Chiefs are facing one of the best offenses in the league on Sunday in the Eagles. This is particularly true in the run game, where they have no peer. But it’s not like they’re slouches throwing the ball either, ranking as one of the best 6 teams in the league in EPA (expected points added) per play in that category.
So how are Spags and company supposed to handle such a powerful rushing attack while still being strong against the pass? It won’t be easy, but I also don’t think it’s an impossible task. In fact, I think some of the tactics preferred by the Chiefs this year could benefit them Sunday. Let’s talk about a few plans of attack I would throw into the gameplan if I were Spagnuolo.