The O-line

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Expectations are WAY too high, IMO.

Holding a divisional opponent to 20 points or less, on the road, is fantastic, especially when the defense is missing 4 starters.

Had the offense been more efficient, I doubt many people would be complaining about the final score.

That's always the case though. As a fanbase we just got so used to winning games 17-13 when defense was easier (and what our squad was built around) that it's still kinda in our DNA.

This goes all the way back to the Smith days. Really going back to like 2016 we'd have games where we'd lose to the Bucs or Texans and give up like 19 points and my buddy would always be like "damn defense just CANNOT give up that score in the 4th...."

And I'd just be like "hey man - the Defense gave the offense about 7 shots to actually get something done and win that game..."

But there was no convincing him.

I can remember one time where I really think the D directly murdered the offense's chance to compete - the Titans playoff game. They were so ineffective and so interminably slow in dying that it wrecked any offensive rhythm we had and made any single possession entirely too overpowered.

But typically if you can keep a team below 24 points in today's NFL, you've held serve. It doesn't mean you've been incredible, but you've not been awful. And with this offense, 24 should really be the target mark for the D. Keep the other guys below that and you'll win 80% of the time.

On Sunday the Chiefs D was battered and ugly, but they did that.

Hard to hang much on 'em really. Especially when they held LAC to 3 points in the 2nd half/OT.

They did their job, IMO.