3 Chiefs weaknesses have and how they can shield them in the playoffs

Chiefs weaknesses:

4th Quarter Defense

As mentioned previously, the Chiefs have been part of some close games — some of them way too close for comfort. Barely beating teams like the Texans and Broncos is concerning, to say the least.

One area the Chiefs have struggled is in fourth-quarter defense. As good of a team as the Chiefs have been, their defense is allowing 7.1 points per fourth quarter, which is 22nd in the NFL.

Three of their last four games have been far too close, with 6-point wins coming over the Texans and Broncos and a 3-point loss to the Bengals.

No true rushing attack

Sure, Mahomes is incredible. But, in the postseason, teams have to find a way to establish the run. Thus far in 2022, the Chiefs are among the middle of the pack in rushing at 117 yards per game. That’s good for 17th in the NFL.

Even before Clyde Edwards-Helaire went out for the season, Kansas City didn’t have an identity built around the run. There was no “feature back,” and there still isn’t That’s okay, but they’ll have to ensure a strong commitment to the run going forward to keep defenses honest.

Poor pass defense

Maybe the most concerning part of this team lies in the pass defense, which gives up over 225 yards per game and ranks 20th in the league.

Now, in four out of their last five games, the Chiefs have allowed no more than 217 yards passing with some strong efforts against the Texans (125) and Rams (82). Still, their on-season rank is concerning.