Chris Jones has been here before.
Back in 2018, the Chiefs’ star pass rusher didn’t even get on the sack board until Week 5, when he took down Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles in a win over the Jaguars. Then the floodgates opened.
A week later, Jones sacked Tom Brady in New England. The game after that, he got Andy Dalton.
That was the start of something bigger: Jones piled up sacks in 11 straight games, an NFL record for the longest consecutive streak.
By the time that run ended, Jones had 15 1/2 sacks for the season and had cemented himself as one of the league’s top edge threats. He now has 87 1/2 career sacks, which ranks ninth among active players.
This year, though, the first one still hasn’t arrived.
Jones and the Chiefs enter Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium with Kansas City sitting on only four sacks total, and none since the opener. Jones said it plainly: “I’m still searching,” Jones said.
That drought has come even as the Chiefs have kept opponents out of the end zone at a respectable clip. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo pointed to points allowed as the unit’s biggest measure, and Kansas City is giving up 19.3 per game, seventh in the league. Still, getting after the quarterback was one of the team’s goals going into the season, and right now the numbers say they’re chasing that standard.
Sunday’s opponent gives them a real chance to change that.
The Chargers are 0-5, and injuries have been part of the problem. Tackle Joe Alt and guard Kayode Awosika have both missed practice time this week.
More importantly for Kansas City, Los Angeles has had trouble protecting Justin Herbert. He’s already been sacked 17 times, including five times in last week’s loss to the Broncos.
Only Deshaun Watson of Cleveland, with 19, has taken more this season.
The Chiefs also know what they’re getting into on the other side. One of the players they’ll have to account for is Ladd McConkey, who missed last week’s loss to Denver with a foot injury and has been limited in practice this week. In three games against Kansas City, McConkey has caught 13 passes and scored a touchdown.
Kansas City’s own pass defense will need to be sharper, too, after giving up 365 yards to Las Vegas’ Kirk Cousins in its last game.
On offense, the spotlight shifts to Xavier Worthy. With Tyquan Thornton sidelined by an ankle injury and Rashee Rice unlikely to play while working back from a hamstring strain, the Chiefs are leaning on Worthy as their most established wideout. He just delivered his best outing of the season against the Raiders, finishing with four catches for 70 yards, including a 41-yard grab.
Beyond Worthy, Kansas City may need contributions from a group that has barely been tested. Jalen Royals has one touchdown among his three receptions.
Nikko Remigio has yet to take an offensive snap. Rookie Cyrus Allen has two targets and no catches.
But offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said the expectations don’t change.
“We coach these guys up every single week, every single day to be ready for that defining moment,” Bieniemy said. “When given that opportunity, we’re counting on you to go out there and shine.”
There’s also some special teams momentum worth noting. Matt Araiza was named AFC special teams player of the week after a strong showing against the Raiders.
He punted five times for a 47.6-yard average and placed all five inside the 20. His biggest moment came with 86 seconds left, when he pinned Las Vegas at its own 1 after Emmett Johnson and Xavier Nwankpa helped keep the ball out of the end zone.
Araiza also added a 12-yard run on a successful fake punt.
“He just keeps getting better and better, especially in the pooch area,” Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said.
Kansas City and Los Angeles kick at 3:25 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
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