Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows exactly how to make Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s life uncomfortable.
Jackson’s apparent frustration in week one could not be overstated, especially after Chris Jones stripped and sacked him in the first half.
Chris Jones doing Chris Jones things already 😤 pic.twitter.com/yGPZhMtq60
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 6, 2024
The Chiefs escaped the Ravens 20-27, so pure dominance doesn’t seem to be the narrative in this growing AFC rival. However, because Jackson continues to come up just short, it’s only reasonable to consider that Spagnuolo has used a steady formula to disrupt the Ravens’ offense.
Chiefs taking a Mirror approach to Lamar Jackson:
-DL tries to break the pocket to flush the QB out
-LB mirroring the QB can then aggresively close the space pic.twitter.com/rUFvCTwECL— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) September 6, 2024
Spagnuolo deploys both heavy doses of man coverage and blitz to rush Jackson into quick throws while also neutralizing the Ravens’ rushing attack. Jackson did rush for 122 yards in week 1 but many of his carries were a result of broken plays and improvisation.
Spagnuolo simply knows how to get inside Jackson’s head. He coaches the Chiefs’ defense to ensure they tackle players in the open field.
4th and 3 to Zay Flowers. Ravens are fast out of the huddle but I think it confuses Nelson Agholor, who’s going to crack block absolutely nobody.
Gotta block most dangerous man! And that’s gotta be Trent McDuffie here pic.twitter.com/QzQlcExTp5
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) September 6, 2024
From the bone-chilling turnover forced by Jones to the fierce fourth down stop by Chiefs’ defensive back Trent McDuffie, Spagnuolo’s defense knows precisely how to help Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company out by getting off the field.
Ultimately, the Ravens’ struggle against the Chiefs isn’t due to a lack of offensive production but rather Spagnuolo’s various attacks, which keep Jackson, Monken, and the opposing offensive line uneasy.
