The Kansas City Chiefs head into their game this week against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers with a record of 2-0. They are tied for the lead in the AFC West, and they have gotten great offensive and defensive play up to this point. However, they have significantly struggled in one area since the season began.
Even though it is only week three of the season, the Chiefs’ special teams unit has already taken a step back in comparison to last year. According to ESPN, last year the Chiefs finished first in the NFL in punt return average with an average of 14.8 yards per return. This year however, they rank just 27th with an average of 3.6 yards per return.
Now the special teams stats through two weeks this season are definitely a small sample size. However, there is a reasonable explanation as to why performance in that area is drastically different from last season. The Chiefs’ primary kick and punt returner last year was the Pro Bowl return man Tyreek Hill. However, this year in an attempt to limit Hill’s chances of injury, and help him develop into a more complete receiver, the Chiefs have made De’Anthony Thomas their primary kick and punt returner.
This article is not meant as an indictment of Thomas, or an attempt to bash him for his mistakes this season. On the other hand, he has made several noteworthy mistakes that put into question his ability to be the Chiefs’ primary return man. Through two games, he has returned two punts for a total of three yards, and he has returned six kickoffs at an average of 22.5 yards per attempt. Both his return average on kickoffs, and his average on punts, is significantly worse than the averages that Hill had in both areas last season.
Again, the return averages for Thomas are a small sample size, but he has also struggled in other areas of special teams play. On punt coverage, Thomas has functioned as the gunner for the Chiefs, and against the Patriots in week one, he was called for an interference with opportunity to catch penalty. In addition, Thomas nearly committed a second interference penalty on a play that was ultimately nullified due to holding against the return team.
Against the Eagles, while Thomas was not called for any penalties, he once again almost made contact with the return man on a play where a fair catch was called. Thomas also bobbled a kickoff return with 4:08 left in the third quarter, and he then made the questionable decision to attempt a return instead of turning the play into a touchback. On Thomas’ return attempt, he returned the ball from 7-yards deep in the endzone to only the Chiefs 17 yard line.
Ultimately, Thomas is not the only culprit to blame for the Chiefs’ special teams struggles. Against the Patriots, Hill himself fumbled and then successfully recovered a punt with 9:28 left in the third quarter. On the same play, defensive back Daniel Sorensen was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty that pushed the Chiefs offense back 15 yards. Continuing on into the fourth quarter, with 4:15 left in the game, linebacker Frank Zombo was flagged for an illegal block above the waist; a penalty that pushed the Chiefs offense back 10 yards.
All of the Chiefs’ special teams struggles may eventually be resolved. Even in looking at the Eagles game last week, the team was not as heavily penalized, and did not make as many careless blunders as they did against the Patriots. However, given the volatile nature of the Chiefs’ offense, compounding these mistakes could be the deciding factor in a close game where field position is of heightened importance. Over the next several weeks, the Chiefs should consider their special teams depth chart, and weigh the pro’s and con’s of making personnel changes that could curb carelessness.
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