The Unsung Hero in Kansas City - Steve Spagnuolo and His Defense
Photo Credit: Scott Winters, Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers saw a lot of great defense played, as the low scoring contest featured 10 punts and four turnovers between the two sides. When it mattered most, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo shined the brightest, scheming up coverages to limit San Francisco’s high-powered offense.
The biggest key factor for Spagnuolo and his defense was man coverage, more specifically cover zero. The Chiefs ran man coverage against 64.3% of San Francisco drop backs, which was the second most the 49ers faced all season, only trailing Cleveland in Week 6. Kansas City also ran cover zero during 21.4% of drop backs, by far the most any team ran against the 49ers all year.
This strategy proved effective in limiting Brock Purdy’s time in the pocket, where he has proven to play his best football. Causing Purdy to move off his spot in the pocket led to more underneath throws and didn’t give him the time he needed to deliver the ball on target downfield.
On Sunday, Purdy was 0-4 on throws 25 yards downfield or more. He threw the majority of his passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, and missed two touchdown throws because of the pressure he faced from Kansas City’s Chris Jones. Both plays occurred when Kansas City was in cover zero, and Jones spearheaded the pressure against Brock Purdy.
However, no team can run that much cover zero in a game solely because they have an All-Pro player such a Chris Jones on the line. Teams need players on the back end that can hold their own in case the pressure doesn’t get home. That’s where Trent McDuffie and L’jarius Sneed come in to play. Take a look at this rep by McDuffie covering Deebo Samuel.
Their efforts in man coverage created a result that has rarely been seen. In games where Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk all play together, they have combined for less than 100 yards for scrimmage three times. Super Bowl 58 was one of the three, as they combined for 94 yards.
Aiyuk had three catches on six targets, while Samuel had three catches on 11 (!!) targets, something that has rarely happened to them all season. On the brightest stage, Kansas City’s cornerbacks didn’t let them get any separation.
The man coverage wasn’t the entire story for the Chiefs, as they found a way to suppress Christian McCaffery on the ground somewhat down the stretch. Kansas City switched to running a lot of five-man defensive fronts, resulting in four second half carries for McCaffery that went for one yard or less. Mike Pennel also had an outstanding game on Kansas City’s defensive line, making plays like this one.
The saying in every sport forever has been defense wins championships. Steve Spagnuolo has proven to be the key to that saying in the National Football League, as he now has four Super Bowl rings as a defensive coordinator. Three have come with Kansas City in the last five years, and the other came in 2007 with the New York Giants. Now being established as one of the greatest coordinators in the history of the league, Spagnuolo recently signed a contract to stay in Kansas City to keep the dynasty going.
