Tag: 2022 Special Teams Reviews

The Chiefs had a couple of blunders on special teams during their 26-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.

Thankfully, those blunders didn’t affect the team in the grand scheme of the game, and they were both errors that can be fixed moving forward. The special teams unit also had some positives to take away, which will be highlighted in the notes section.

The main focus of this week’s review will be on the punt return game, which was the culprit of those aforementioned blunders. In addition to this review, be sure to check out my special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players via Google Sheets to see how and where Chiefs’ special teamers have performed this season.

Special teams were rather uneventful for the Chiefs in their Week 11 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but maybe that’s a good thing.

After all, when something is eventful on special teams, it’s either bad (like a fumble) or great (like a return touchdown). Unfortunately, it’s been more of the former than the latter for the Chiefs, but luckily it was neither on Sunday night.

This will be a rather short review compared to my previous ones, but I do have a few things to note. Additionally, make sure to check out my special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players via Google Sheets to get a better idea of how and where Chiefs players have performed on special teams during the season.

During the bye week, we reviewed the Chiefs’ special teams unit and came to the conclusion that punt coverage has been great, punt returns have been awful, and the kickoff game on both sides has been somewhere in between.

The Chiefs seemed to have recognized that the punt return game has not been working because they made a big change on that subunit in their 20-17 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. We’ll review that, but first, we’ll take a look at safety Deon Bush’s dominating performance on kickoff coverage.

Also, don’t forget: My special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players are available as a Google Sheet. Check those out to see how each Chiefs’ special teamer has performed so far this year.

During the bye week, we reviewed the Chiefs’ special teams unit and came to the conclusion that punt coverage has been great, punt returns have been awful, and the kickoff game on both sides has been somewhere in between.

The Chiefs seemed to have recognized that the punt return game has not been working because they made a big change on that subunit in their 20-17 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. We’ll review that, but first, we’ll take a look at safety Deon Bush’s dominating performance on kickoff coverage.

Also, don’t forget: My special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players are available as a Google Sheet. Check those out to see how each Chiefs’ special teamer has performed so far this year.

One overlooked downside to injuries in football is their effect on special teams.

Of course, injuries hurt the offense and defense as well, but special teams can sometimes suffer even more. Why? Because, much of the time, players who fill in on offense and defense have received significant — albeit not starter-level — snaps. Meanwhile, players who fill in on special teams are often inexperienced practice squad players who have barely seen the field.

That inexperience can lead to rough results. It definitely did during the Chiefs’ 24-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. With safety Bryan Cook out due to concussion symptoms, Zayne Anderson filled in on special teams. The results were not great.

However, that lack of depth can make way for new players to shine. That happened in Week 6 as well. We’ll discuss that, plus review how injuries have hurt the Chiefs’ kick return subunit this whole year, not just in Week 6. Additionally, my special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players are available via Google Sheets.

What a way to bounce back.

After a rough Week 3 that saw the Chiefs’ special teams crew commit egregious error after error, coordinator Dave Toub’s unit rebounded the best way possible: by punching the opponent in the mouth early.

The Chiefs’ Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started off with a Chris Lammons-forced fumble on kickoff coverage, with Elijah Lee getting the scoop. Two plays later Kansas City was up seven and never gave up the lead.

Take a sec to appreciate Chris Lammons & Elijah Lee (also Jack Cochrane & Bryan Cook) for setting the tone with the forced fumble on the opening kickoff.

May have been a different ballgame if #Chiefs didn't start by punching the Bucs in the mouth. Special teams bounced back big. pic.twitter.com/hvjjlC1VOt

— Wes Roesch (@WesleyRoesch) October 5, 2022

That’s how you do it. Last week we talked about how Toub was partially to blame for the team’s special teams woes, but also how he should be judged less on one bad week and more on how he can get his unit back on track. Like good coaches do, Toub not only got his squad back on track — he turned it back into a strength.

This week we’ll focus on just one subunit since the punt coverage and punt return teams didn’t see much action, and nine of the game’s 14 total kickoffs resulted in touchbacks or a kick out of bounds. The focus will be on Isiah Pacheco and the Chiefs’ kick return subunit, with some other notes to round things out.

As always, my snap counts and grades for individual players are available via Google Sheets.