What the Chiefs Can Learn from the NFL Playoffs: Two Lessons from Wild Card Weekend
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs were watching Wild Card weekend from the couch instead of commanding the field. That’s unfamiliar territory for a team that’s been a postseason mainstay since 2015.
But with the playoff picture unfolding without them, this January offers a rare chance for self-reflection. And if the Chiefs are watching closely, there’s plenty to learn from the teams still in the hunt.
Here are two key takeaways from the Divisional Round that should be on Kansas City’s radar as they look to bounce back in 2026.
1. Stretching the Field Helps You Beat Turnover Variance
Defenses across the league have evolved. With the NFL leaning more and more into the passing game, defensive coordinators have responded by leaning out of base looks and into lighter, faster personnel.
Nickel and dime packages have become the norm, even against heavier offensive sets. Just look at teams like the Seahawks and Texans-two defenses that rarely, if ever, line up in base.
They’ve built their success around speed, versatility, and the ability to win from light boxes.
From a coverage standpoint, these defenses are playing more top-down zone-umbrella shells that aim to keep everything in front and prevent explosive plays. The idea is to force offenses into long, methodical drives and wait for them to make a mistake.
And that’s where the trap lies.
Ten-play drives sound great in theory, but football is a game of chaos. Penalties, sacks, missed assignments-something almost always goes wrong. The more plays you need to score, the more chances something derails you.
That’s why pushing the ball downfield is so valuable. A single 35-yard completion can do the work of four successful short passes. It’s not just about chunk plays-it’s about skipping the parts of the drive where mistakes happen.
We saw this play out over the weekend.
Take the New England Patriots. Their offense struggled for most of the game-just 13 first downs, under 4.0 yards per play, and a brutal 3-for-14 on third down.
But when they did score, it came from explosive downfield throws to guys like Kayshon Boutte. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye took his lumps, but when those deep shots connected, they were game-changers.
On the flip side, look at the Buffalo Bills. Efficient on the ground and able to move the chains, but when fumbles struck, they didn’t have the firepower to recover.
Without a reliable downfield threat, they couldn’t flip the field or make up for their mistakes quickly. That’s what happens when your receiving corps doesn’t scare anyone vertically.
The Bears offer another example. Caleb Williams’ completion percentage wasn’t pretty, but head coach Ben Johnson has instilled a clear philosophy: chase explosive plays. And when the Bears hit on one, it made up for a lot of the misfires.
The Rams? They’ve built their entire offensive identity around stretching the field with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. It’s not about dinking and dunking-it's about stressing defenses vertically and forcing them to defend every blade of grass.
For the Chiefs, this should hit home.
Kansas City’s offense has become increasingly conservative-relying on underneath routes and short gains that require sustained execution. That’s a dangerous game in today’s NFL.
To get back to being elite, they need to bring back the fear factor. Defenses shouldn’t be able to sit comfortably in zone without worrying about getting torched over the top.
A vertical threat who can win contested catches and stretch the field would go a long way. It’s not just about one player-it’s about reintroducing a philosophy that makes defenses play honest.
2. Collapsing the Pocket From All Angles is the New Blueprint Against Mobile QBs
Let’s talk about the pass rush-specifically, how it’s changing.
For years, the league chased edge speed. Defensive ends were prized for their ability to bend around the corner and hunt down statuesque quarterbacks.
But today’s quarterbacks don’t stand still. They move.
They extend plays. They turn broken pockets into highlight reels.
That shift has forced defenses to evolve. It’s no longer just about beating the tackle and getting a sack-it’s about controlling the entire pocket and denying escape routes.
That’s where pocket crushers come in.
Instead of just flying upfield, defenses are now focused on collapsing the pocket from all directions. That means bigger, more powerful interior linemen who can push the pocket and eliminate space.
It means edge rushers who can set the edge and redirect quarterbacks back into the teeth of the defense. And it means gap discipline-because one missed assignment can open a lane and ruin the whole play.
We saw this approach on full display from several playoff teams.
The Broncos are a great example. They’ve got speed off the edge in Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, but they balance it with brute force inside from John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen. That combination allows them to keep quarterbacks contained and uncomfortable.
The Rams are built similarly. Jared Verse is a menace on the edge, but it’s the collective effort of the line-closing space and forcing quick decisions-that makes them dangerous.
Seattle’s front is all about power. Demarcus Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Uchenna Nwosu-these guys aren’t just trying to beat you around the edge. They’re trying to run through you and collapse the entire pocket.
And then there’s Houston. With Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter on the edges, plus a strong interior, the Texans have built a front that can both chase and crush.
They use stunts and slants to manipulate protections and force quarterbacks into bad decisions. The key?
Discipline. Every rusher has a job, and when done right, the pocket becomes a cage.
This is especially relevant for the Chiefs, who will continue to face mobile quarterbacks in the AFC. Whether it’s Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, or even a developing Drake Maye, the ability to control the pocket-not just rush the passer-is critical.
It’s not about chasing sacks. It’s about creating chaos, denying escape routes, and forcing quarterbacks to throw from uncomfortable spots.
Final Thought
The Chiefs are still one of the most well-run organizations in football, but this season proved they’re not immune to stagnation. The league is evolving-on both sides of the ball-and Kansas City needs to evolve with it.
Explosive plays on offense. Controlled chaos on defense. That’s the blueprint.
And if the Chiefs are paying attention to what’s happening in January, they’ll see it clearly.