The Chiefs’ pass rush finally erupted Sunday, and the timing couldn’t have been better.
After producing four sacks in the season opener against the Denver Broncos and then going quiet in four of the next six games, Kansas City came alive in a 35-12 win over the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs got to Geno Smith five times, turning pressure into one of the defining stretches of the game.
Chris Jones and George Karlaftis led the way with two sacks apiece, while Ashton Gillotte added one. The sacks came on five straight possessions beginning late in the second quarter, and New York failed to score on any of those drives.
Jones started the run by blowing up a Jason Sanders field goal attempt late in the second quarter. Sanders missed from 53 yards, and it was only the second missed field goal against the Chiefs in two years.
Karlaftis got his first sack early in the third quarter, forcing a Jets punt. Gillotte followed with a 14-yard sack on the next New York possession, which also ended in a punt. Karlaftis then came through again with a speed rush and arm-whip sack on fourth down, and Jones added his second sack on the next series.
“It means a lot,” Gillotte said. “We work week in, week out trying to get to the quarterback. It feels good to get home.”
Jones’ two sacks pushed his career total to 89, moving him past Tamba Hali and into second place on the Chiefs’ all-time sacks list. Derrick Thomas remains the franchise leader with 126 1/2.
Jones had said during the week that sacks didn’t matter to him, but he made a quick correction after the game.
“I know last week I was, like, sacks don’t matter,” Jones said. “But I lied. Sacks are everything.”
He entered Sunday with just a half-sack on the season, a slow start for the three-time first team All-Pro and seven time Pro Bowler.
The matchup set up well for Kansas City’s front, too. Smith had already been sacked 23 times, and the Chiefs took advantage.
“The fruits of our labor were expressed on the field,” Gillotte said. “We’re going to keep working on it.”
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