Comparing Negative Plays in the Spagnuolo Era

How do the 2022 Chiefs stack up against their previous counterparts?

Since Steve Spagnuolo arrived in Kansas City, he’s consistently had a top 10 scoring defense. Furthermore, he’s built upon his defense week after week to be at its strongest at the end of the year. Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks was another in a line of quality late-season Spagnuolo defensive performances. If that version of the defense is what the Chiefs are getting from here on out, not only does it make them a lot scarier in the playoffs, it gives them an inside track to make their fifth straight AFC Championship game.

Unfortunately, the late-season consistency on the defensive side of the ball hasn’t been the same as it was in previous seasons. In recent weeks, I’ve covered defensive performance on third and longs and defensive drives after turnovers — and neither have been able to hold up to previous Spagnuolo/Chiefs defenses. However, there is one element that the defense has been unequivocally better in 2022: creating negative plays.