Self-Scouting: Chiefs Versus the NFC East 2021

Well the idea here is to hopefully data mine some clues as to what Eric Bieniemy has in store for the NFC East. The last time the Chiefs played the NFC East was 2021. 

Back when we know-it-all fans and gamblers were attempting to pick the Super Bowl, I used the 2021 KC-Philly game to guide my thoughts. I came out thinking the Eagles had to stop the run because they didn't in that game. The Chiefs had to worry about the Patrick Mahomes injury situation. That should have clued the Eagles in on the fact that the Chiefs had a lined with gold obligation to execute the running game and keep Patrick healthy. 

I couldn't convince myself the Eagles would stop the run in the Super Bowl. I tried hard. But failed. Having no choice based on the evidence, I picked Kansas City even though I rooted for the Eagles for obvious reasons. 

Well not so obvious. Strength of schedule reasons. Hope that clarifies things. You don't want to be told you haven't played anybody when you get to the Super Bowl. To trump that, you need to be in the division of the Super Bowl Champion. And IF that champion is you, Glory to God in the Highest. Ergo, I rooted for the Birds.

The Chiefs went 4-0 against the NFC East in 2021. Against Dallas and the Giants, they got ahead and then pounded the rock. Against Philadelphia, they pounded the rock with Patrick Mahomes tossing 5 TDs. The Washington Game was not competitive.

Here are the Highlights links and stats:

The Washington Game: Offense versus Defense Stats

Chiefs versus Dallas Stats

Chiefs versus Giants Stats

Chiefs versus Eagles Stats

These are clues. In no way am I implying the same results will accrue to the Commanders. Yet I must say the Dallas and Giants games don't look too different from a typical Commander scrum type game. And the Chiefs offense in the 2021 Eagles game was healthy. Mahomes was healthy. He had Tyreek Hill. They ran and they passed. The Eagles flatly could not stop them.

However, you could argue the Commanders did better defensively against the Birds in 2022 than the Chiefs did in 2021. The Eagles posted 30 first downs. Jesus. How could you post 30 first downs and lose?

Well, how could you give up 31 first downs and win?