[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwa53mtds520q2 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
The only player with multiple sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alex Okafor made his presence felt in the statement win that could be the defining game of both teams’ seasons.
As the Chiefs’ defense has played better, they’ve relied on contributors from all parts of the roster, and that depth looks to play a key role in their matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. Okafor had a chance to speak to the media on Monday before practice, and he told reporters that carrying momentum into this week’s primetime matchup would be crucial to extending the Chiefs’ lead in the division.
“I think the most important thing for us is just to continue to get better each week,” He said. “Early in the season when we were losing games early, we were saying forget the outcome, forget the result, we just need to continue to get better each and every week. We got the talent, not only in our room, but on this team to be where we want to be. We’ve kept that mentality throughout the whole season, just focus on us, focus on getting better each and every week.”
Defensive improvement has certainly been the driving factor in Kansas City’s recent success. Despite that recent wave of success, Okafor feels that there is still improvement to be made on the defensive side of the ball.
“It sounds crazy, but I don’t think we’re playing our best ball yet,” Okafor said. “We’re playing at a very, very, very high level, but I think we can continue to get better. There’s still plays that we leave on the field and take pride in that and we got to continue to chase those plays.”
Okafor figures to be one of the unsung heroes of the team’s turnaround in 2021. While he may not get the exposure of Frank Clark or Chris Jones on the defensive line, Okafor remains one of the Chiefs’ most valuable assets.
With Jones heading to the COVID-19/Reserve list, Kansas City will likely be relying on Okafor and the rest of the defensive line rotation more in Week 15. It’ll be another opportunity for the salty veteran to prove that the team can keep improving, even in the face of adversity.
[listicle id=112619]