Sending a message? Three things the Chiefs defense did differently vs Seattle

Kansas City's defense broke out of a slump in a big way against the Seahawks, tightening up in multiple areas.

It’s no secret that the Chiefs’ defense has been a source of concern over the last several weeks. This was true whether you’re talking from a perspective of the fanbase, analysts trying to figure out how serious a contender Kansas City is, or longtime beat reporters wondering aloud what the problem is.

Adam Teicher @adamteicher

Reminder here that the Texans are playing without two top WRs and their leading rusher. There can't be a bigger red flag about the Chiefs and their defense that they just put together an 80-yard TD drive.

After the Chiefs narrowly escaped the Texans in overtime last week, I wrote about some of the biggest real (and apparent) flaws they’ve shown over the course of the 2022 season. Of the discussed concerns, several of the most serious ones related to the defense and whether or not it would hold back an offense that (while at times frustrating) has been the best in the league this year.

Fair or not, after multiple tough games in a row (being unable to stop the Bengals at crucial moments followed by giving up season-highs in points to the hapless Broncos and Texans) the defense was under a microscope. With an effective Seahawks offense and Geno Smith coming to Arrowhead Sunday, it seemed like that trend could continue (even with star WR Tyler Lockett out).

Instead, the defense sent a message and played arguably its strongest game of the year.

So what changed? Before anyone asks, I did not see any significant schematic changes from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. What I did see, though, was a number of changes in how the players executed with some of the basics. And it made a tremendous difference.

Let’s talk about some of those “back to basics” improvements the Chiefs’ defense made Sunday, and what it may (or may not) tell us moving forward.