Tag: Defense

Chiefs safety Justin Reid discusses defense’s mindset amid Kansas City’s offensive struggles

#Chiefs safety Justin Reid discussed the mindset of Kansas City’s defense that may help with the team’s offensive struggles.

The 2023 regular season is in the rearview for the Kansas City Chiefs as they set their sights on another Lombardi trophy. A constant conversation throughout the year has been the inconsistent production from the offense mixed with the dominance of the resurgent defensive unit.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid has preached the potential greatness of his unit dating back to training camp. He has been looked upon as a leader in the secondary during his two seasons in Kansas City and has seen the balance of strength on the team favor the offense in 2022. He spoke about the dynamic of the two sides during his press conference with reporters on Wednesday.

“A beautiful thing about defense is, it doesn’t matter what the score of the game is, doesn’t matter if you’re up, you’re down, the mission is always the same,” Reid explained. “Go out and stop them. Don’t let them get first downs, don’t let them drop the ball, get a turnover whenever you can. So we know we don’t have to worry about, kind of like, (the) four-minute offense to worry about the clock or whatever.

“The mission is always the same. And that’s to get the ball back to our offense as many times as possible. So I think that we have a very special group. I set that since training camp, and I’m happy that the rest of the world has got to see it, too. But it’s not about again, not about what we’ve done already. It’s about what we’re going to do. So we’re going to prepare for it.”

The Chiefs’ defense has received praise in many different metrics as one of the best in the NFL this season, improving yearly under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The unit’s success, however, hasn’t soured their mindset of the offense during their struggles in 2023.

How Boston’s elite defense has helped the Celtics dominate the league

No small part of their success can be attributed to the Celtics stifling defensive capabilities.

The Boston Celtics are by all accounts one of the best teams in the NBA, and currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings. No small part of their success can be attributed to the Celtics stifling defensive capabilities, which has Boston ranked near the top of the Association so far this season.

One especially interesting wrinkle the Celtics have been using recently is a twist on how the team used to use big man Robert Williams III as something of a roving free safety, to borrow from NFL  terminology, amid a more structured framework for the other Boston players. In Timelord’s place, new Celtics guard Jrue Holiday now roams the court to disrupt plays and provide help as needed.

The hosts of the Athletic “No Dunks” podcast took a close look at what is powering Boston’s elite defense on a recent episode.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Twitter reacts to Chiefs DL Chris Jones’ sack vs. Chargers that earned incentive

Twitter went wild after #Chiefs DL Chris Jones sacked #Chargers QB Easton Stick to earn a $1.25 million bonus.

The Kansas City Chiefs will owe star defensive lineman Chris Jones a hefty incentive after he secured his tenth sack of the 2023 regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.

Jones held out from training camp and missed the Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup against the Detroit Lions in an effort to negotiate a better contract with Kansas City.

In the end, he got a contract incentive that would grant a $1.25 million bonus if he eclipsed the 10-sack mark on the season. He entered the Chiefs’ Week 18 matchup against Los Angeles with 9.5 sacks and managed to reach his goal late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game when he took down Chargers quarterback Easton Stick.

After this marvelous play, it is unlikely that Jones will see any more action in Week 18 as the Chiefs coaching staff looks to rest its starters ahead of the AFC playoffs.

Twitter exploded when Jones took Stick to the turf, and users on the beleaguered social media site weren’t shy in sharing their thoughts on the defensive lineman’s achievement.

Check out their top reactions below:

WATCH: Chiefs DB Mike Edwards recovers fumble, scores unbelievable touchdown

#Chiefs DB Mike Edwards scored a 97-yard defensive touchdown after a fumble recovery against the #Chargers in Week 18.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a huge statement against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18 when veteran defensive back Mike Edwards recovered a fumble and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.

The play started when Chargers quarterback Easton Stick scrambled near Kansas City’s goal line on Los Angeles’ first drive. Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu sacked Stick at the eight yard line, and the ball popped free.

Edwards pounced, recovered the fumble, and ran all the way to the other side of the field to score six points that gave the Chiefs an early lead.

This turnover completely shifted the momentum in the game after Kansas City’s offense was unable to get into gear on its first drive. Edwards’ exceptional effort is sure to be seen on the Chiefs’ defensive highlight reel for years to come and may prove to be the defining moment in this game as many of Kansas City’s starters get a rest before the playoffs.

Do the Boston Celtics have the best defense in the NBA?

Can the Celtics maintain their newfound defensive firewall without changing how effective they are on the other end of the court?

The Boston Celtics have been showcasing their defensive chops in a pair of recent blowout wins vs. the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers, forcing their opponents into difficult shots and capitalizing on turnovers. The intensity and pressure on the defensive end have been evident in recent contests, with the Celtics forcing turnovers and limiting open looks for the Jazz and Pacers.

Players like Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum have reached new levels as defenders, contributing to the team’s elite defensive identity. Boston’s ability to maintain defensive intensity even with different lineups and off-the-bench players underscores the depth and versatility of the Celtics’ defensive approach. Can the Celtics maintain their newfound defensive firewall without changing how effective they are on the other end of the court?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast took a deep dive into Boston’s defense after the Jazz win.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Texans secure playoff spot with 23-19 win vs. Colts

The Texans defeated the Colts, 23-19, to secure a spot in the playoffs.

It was unimaginable a year ago.

The Houston Texans were the poster child for dysfunctional NFL franchises and had just lost the No. 1 overall pick on the road in Indianapolis. They fired their second consecutive head coach in as many seasons while many questioned how general manager Nick Caserio was retained in his position.

Fast forward a calendar year and the Texans face a different picture. Their rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, is one of the hottest stars in the league. Their new head coach, former star linebacker DeMeco Ryans, is one of the ascending stars in the coaching circle. Overall, they look like one of the more dangerous teams in their conference.

Most of all, the Texans are advancing to the AFC playoffs after a huge 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Receiver Nico Collins made a statement as a No. 1 receiver with an incredible performance that included nine receptions, 195 yards and one touchdown helping Stroud to a 264-yard and two-touchdown game. Their connection was highlighted early in the contest with an almost too easy 75-yard touchdown off play action from Stroud to Collins.

Running back Devin Singletary, despite a hefty effort from the Indianapolis defense, was able to pace the Houston offense. He totaled 24 carries for 63 yards and a pivotal fourth quarter touchdown. It was a key difference in how the team adapted from their earlier Week 2 loss to the same Colts team.

Defensively, despite Indianapolis outpacing the Texans in yardage (360 to 306), Houston was able to hold on when it counted most. The Colts were a measly 1-for-11 on third down and failed on a pivotal fourth down conversion late in the fourth quarter when running back Tyler Goodson dropped an off-target checkdown from quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Linebackers Blake Cashman and Christian Harris paced the team in tackles, with 13 and 12 respectively, while Harris gathered the team’s only sack of the entire evening.

It was the kind of game that summarized the story book season that Houston has gone through over the past few months. Now, the team will move past the story and into the reality of the AFC playoffs. They’ll either host the Cleveland Browns or travel to Buffalo to face the Bills or Kansas City to face the Chiefs, depending on the results of Sunday’s contest.

Regardless, this team has accomplished more than anyone could have anticipated. Their advancement after finishing in the bottom of the AFC the past three seasons is more than anyone could have hoped for. Now, they await Sunday’s results.

What does the evidence tell us about the importance of defense to contenders in today’s NBA?

Teams must be elite offensively to compete for a title now, but does defense still matter for elite ball clubs when contending?

The idea that defense wins championships is being challenged in today’s NBA due to the proficiency of modern offenses, and former NBAer and host of the “Old Man and the 3” podcast spent some time on a recent episode with fellow ex-NBAer and current broadcaster Tim Legler of ESPN exploring whether that old adage is still true.

Teams must be elite offensively to compete for a title now, but does defense still matter for elite ball clubs when contending? The impact of defenses on high-powered offenses has diminished, and players with increasingly versatile offensive skills have altered defensive game plans, making it challenging to funnel the ball to less proficient scorers.

What does the evidence tell us about the importance of defense to contenders in today’s NBA?

Check the clip above to hear their case for the role of defense on the league’s biggest stage.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Chiefs DB L’Jarius Sneed on track to end regular season without allowing a touchdown

#Chiefs DB L’Jarius Sneed is on track to end the regular season without allowing a touchdown.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed has put together an almost unbelievable campaign that makes the tall task of defending against opposing passing attacks look easy.

Through 16 games, the beloved veteran hasn’t allowed a touchdown on more than 80 targets and could end his regular season with a perfect record if he can shut down the Los Angeles Chargers’ receivers in Week 18.

Sneed’s outstanding achievement has come at a cost, though. He was among the NFL’s most penalized players in 2023, and while this aspect of his game is something that will need to be cleaned up ahead of the playoffs, Sneed’s ability to keep opponents from scoring points is second to none and could warrant recognition with Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors when the season ends.

Expect the former Louisiana Tech Bulldog to keep his hot streak alive on Sunday as Kansas City looks to finish their regular season campaign with a win.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid reflects on dominant defensive stand to close out matchup vs. Bengals

#Chiefs safety Justin Reid reflected on Kansas City’s dominant defensive stand that closed the door on the Cincinnati #Bengals in Week 17.

The team sealed its eighth consecutive AFC West division title only days following the Kansas City Chiefs’ disastrous performance against the Las Vegas Raiders. The victory over the Cincinnati Bengals featured the best the team can offer on defense heading into the playoffs.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid significantly contributed to Sunday’s win with his performance. He collected two critical sacks on Cincinnati’s last drive and finished with seven tackles, ranking second on the team in the win. Reid spoke about the final Bengals drive and the mindset of the defensive unit during his post-game comments to reporters.

“It was a big moment. All of it just came down to execution,” Reid explained. “We were executing really all game, and in the biggest moments, your biggest players – in every situation, your players have to make plays. (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags dialed it up for me to get home, and we practiced it all during the week, everyone played their role to give me enough time to get home, and we were able to make things happen.”

Reid’s thrilling display on the Bengals’ final drive thwarted their comeback hopes and reinforced the unit’s ability to close games. The option of not relying on getting the ball back to Patrick Mahomes and the offense is a luxury heading into another postseason.

“That’s what we want to be; that’s what we want our identity to be,” said Reid. “A defense where when our number is called, we go out there no matter the situation, and we play defense.”

Reid is in his second season with the Chiefs and has quickly become a leader in the secondary. He is playing at a high level at a prime time as Kansas City seeks back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

Twitter reacts to Vikings fans turning on Brian Flores’ defense

Fans have reacted strongly to the Vikings poor performance on defense against the Green Bay Packers

Pretty much everything that could go wrong for the Minnesota Vikings has in the Sunday Night Football matchup against the Green Bay Packers. With their playoff lives on the line, the Vikings have come out and laid an egg on both offense and defense, and Vikings fans on Twitter have seen enough.

Through three quarters against the Packers, the Minnesota defense has given up 30 points, including 23 points in the first half — their worst performance all season.

The defense has been the strong point for the Vikings all season, but it has faltered in a big way in the biggest spot, and the fans on Twitter have not been shy about voicing their displeasure.