comparing KC and Den defense

[mwill07]

the running meme is that our defense is terrible and KC's is excellent. I don't believe that there is really that big of a difference, as long as the Broncos have Von Miller. This thread is to examine differences and similarities between the two.

I will be posting stats culled from http://pro-football-reference.com, comparing the most recent three games. Why three? Because that includes all games played by Von Miller.

Note: by no means am I trying to say that KC's defense is bad, or even average. They are a very good defense. I don't believe they are the best in the league and the end of year stats will bore that out, but they have been performing very well. This thread is really to demonstrate that our D can be considered just as good.

[mwill07]

I posted this in another thread, but is relevant here:

Over the last 3 games played, Denver D has more sacks (9-6), allowed fewer passing yards (626-790), fewer rushing yards (364-371) and has two more interceptions (4-2) thank KC.

Here's the kicker: each of the QB's the Broncos have faced over this stretch have all been to the pro-bowl within the last 2 years, whereas none of the QB's KC faced had ever started a game for their team.

[mwill07]

The only area where KC's defense appears better than the Von Miller Broncos is in total points (80-46). Upon closer inspection, we need to consider that the Broncos offense is responsible for a significant portion of these points. By my count, the Broncos O is responsible for 33 defensive points allowed, either by allowing defensive scoring or by gifting the ball in the red-zone:

vs IND:
* gave up 2 on a safety
* gave up a TD after Holliday fumbled a punt on the 11
* gave up a FG when Manning was picked off on the 20

vs WAS:
* gave up a TD on a Manning fumble on the 19
* gave up an int returned for a TD

vs SD:
* gave up TD on a Manning fumble on the 11

If one were to concede that these points should not be attributed to the defense, the Bronco defense has allowed 47 points over the past 3 games. That is pretty comparable to the KC defense.

[mwill07]

it's probably appropriate to point out that KC has been living off of defensive scoring this season. Hell, in their most recent game, their D actually outscored their offense.

It's not like our D has been shut out either. In the Washington game, DRC returned an int 45 yards for a TD, and twice our D got the ball back for Manning on the 25 - not quite red-zone, but pretty damn close.

On the season, KC's D/ST leads the league with 7 TD's, which is great. anyone want to guess who is #2 with 4?

[Rabb]

Good post, rep

[ChiefsKingdom]

Just as good?
It's all about points per game. It's not that hard to understand...

[mwill07]

Just as good?
It's all about points per game. It's not that hard to understand...

This thread is about the defense. The Bronco D has given up 15.7 ppg over the past 3 weeks. The KC D has given up 15.3. See post #3 for details.

[WolfpackGuy]

With Von and without Von.

It's pretty fuggin simple to anybody that watches the games.

[SportinOne]

KC is right now averaging .7 TDs per game on defense. Over the past 5 years, only 2 teams have finished above .4 (.5 and .6 and i already forgot which teams). They aren't likely to keep that up but they have a very very easy schedule down the stretch. We don't need to sweep them but we need to win this week. Show them that they are human and let them start doubting themselves.

[55CrushEm]

This thread is about the defense. The Bronco D has given up 15.7 ppg over the past 3 weeks. The KC D has given up 15.3. See post #3 for details.

Exactly. And to reiterate your point.......we've had Von the last 3 games. He's a difference maker....period. Also, Woodyard healthy etc.

But your other good point is that we've also faced (in those 3 games) Andrew Luck, RG3 and Phil Rivers.

KC has faced Tuel, Keenum and Campbell.

[mwill07]

I put this in another thread, should have put it here:

the Chiefs have had 7 non-offensive TD's in 9 games. That's pretty damn good - but not unique. There have been 14 teams that have done that, 6 others who have done it since 2000:

2008 Packers: 8 TD's in first 9 games, 1 TD in last 7.
2009 Saints: 8 TD's in first 9 games, 1 in last 7.
2010 Cardinals: 8 in the first 9 games, 4 in the last 7.
2012 Bears: 7 TD's in 1st 9 gmaes, 2 in last 7.
2003 Chiefs: 7 TD's in first 9 games, 0 in last 7.

The only teams who have had lots of return TD's thru 9 games and were able to sustain it were the 1998 Seahawks (7 and then 13), 1961 Chargers (6 and then 10), 1997 Broncos(6 and then 10), and the1999 Rams (6 and then 11)...so 4 teams in the history of time managed to continue at close to the same pace.

Un.sus.tain.a.ble. highly unlikely.

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

Exactly. And to reiterate your point.......we've had Von the last 3 games. He's a difference maker....period. Also, Woodyard healthy etc.

But your other good point is that we've also faced (in those 3 games) Andrew Luck, RG3 and Phil Rivers.

KC has faced Tuel, Keenum and Campbell.

I have a Chiefs fan friend who claims it's tougher to play backups because "there's no film" on them, despite having never started a game in the League (Tuel and Keenum) being a pretty big disadvantage for a guy.

The lesson: KC fans are inbred hicks.

[misturanderson]

I put this in another thread, should have put it here:

the Chiefs have had 7 non-offensive TD's in 9 games. That's pretty damn good - but not unique. There have been 14 teams that have done that, 6 others who have done it since 2000:

2008 Packers: 8 TD's in first 9 games, 1 TD in last 7.
2009 Saints: 8 TD's in first 9 games, 1 in last 7.
2010 Cardinals: 8 in the first 9 games, 4 in the last 7.
2012 Bears: 7 TD's in 1st 9 gmaes, 2 in last 7.
2003 Chiefs: 7 TD's in first 9 games, 0 in last 7.

The only teams who have had lots of return TD's thru 9 games and were able to sustain it were the 1998 Seahawks (7 and then 13), 1961 Chargers (6 and then 10), 1997 Broncos(6 and then 10), and the1999 Rams (6 and then 11)...so 4 teams in the history of time managed to continue at close to the same pace.

Un.sus.tain.a.ble. highly unlikely.

How many of those teams that sustained it did so because of return scores (as opposed to defensive scores which has accounted for all but 1 of KC's)?

I would contest that return scores speak to a great return man and return units, which seems more likely to continue than fumble recoveries being run in or interceptions being thrown to a place where they can be returned for a TD.

[BamaBronco16]

Just as good?
It's all about points per game. It's not that hard to understand...

You're still having trouble with the whole reading thing aren't you?

Awe, that's so cute.

[rolandftw]

I don't think the Broncos are quite as good defensively, but the gap is significantly smaller when comparing defensive units, then when you compare offensive units.