Arrowhead Pride
Sunday’s Kansas City Chiefs matchup against the Baltimore Ravens has all the makings of an AFC heavyweight showdown. Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson headline the marquee game, putting the pressure squarely on each team’s defense to step up.
For the Chiefs, winning will come down to their ability to stop Baltimore’s explosive passing game. Through three weeks, the Ravens lead the league with nine passing touchdowns and an impressive 9.5 yards per completion. Jackson has yet to throw an interception.
For Kansas City cornerback Jaylen Watson, that streak presents exactly the kind of challenge that fuels a defensive back who plays on a team with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“That’s a big emphasis: trying to get Pat the ball back,” Watson said after Friday’s practice. “We’re trying any way we can to create turnovers — whether that’s interceptions, fumbles, fumble recoveries, or turnovers on downs.”
In recent years, turnovers have not come easily for the Chiefs’ defense — but when they happen, they often come in bunches. That was the case last week, when Kansas City recorded its first two takeaways of the season by intercepting the New York Giants’ quarterback Russell Wilson twice.
Watson recognizes that these kinds of moments motivate his teammates — and hopes to keep them coming on Sunday.
“It’s just a momentum swing,” Watson explained. “It’s a big boost and makes you want to play harder — and for everyone to make smart plays.”
Of course, defending against a quarterback like Jackson is no ordinary task. Even when defenders execute correctly, his abilities as a dual threat make him a nightmare to contain. Aside from his passing numbers, Jackson also ranks third among quarterbacks (behind Mahomes and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray) with 118 rushing yards.
So Watson and the rest of Kansas City’s secondary must maintain coverage discipline — while staying ready to pursue Jackson whenever he becomes a runner.
“He plays like a maniac,” Watson said of the two-time MVP. “With his legs, it’s hard to get stops. When you’re plastering and chasing guys in a scramble drill, it’s hard to get your head around to actually see the ball — because you’re chasing your man. It’s hard to make plays like that.”
It is a lesson the Chiefs’ secondary has taken to heart since Week 1, when their defense surrendered 304 passing yards and 32 rushing yards to Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert. Since then, however, the defense has tightened up. The team’s last two opponents have gained a total of 245 passing yards and 42 rushing yards.
Watson and his teammates have no desire to turn in another performance like they did in the season opener.
“I think it left a bad taste in our mouth after that game,” he admitted. “Ever since then, we’ve been playing at a really high level. Hopefully, we can continue to keep doing that.”
