The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled on special teams this season, and honestly that has been their only real issue this year.
But, most people know they have been historically one of the better units in the NFL over the last 10 seasons wether it be scoring on special teams, or keeping others from scoring. They have done it all.
That starts with Dave Toub, who is one of the more respected guys in the league at what he does. Even the Texans’ special teams coordinator is giving him some praise ahead of the matchu against each other.
“Kansas City Chiefs, so with their special teams coach (Dave Toub), you guys already know this, but he has coached with Lovie (Smith)… There’s nobody better,” Texans’ special teams coordinator Frank Ross said.
“We have our work cut out for us on Sunday… The kid from South Dakota Jack Cochrane… the reason (Tommy) Townsend has been so good. Yeah, he’s a really good punter leading the league in net, but the core coverage has been fantastic…”
“You have (Bryan) Cook, the kid out of Cincinnati who is starting at wing for them has been fantastic. Very, very savvy. He’s an instinctual player for a rookie.”
Then you look at (Chris) Lammons playing the gunner and having a disruptive mentality playing with speed down the core on kickoff and on the perimeter for punts. So, we’ve got our work cut out for us. We’ve got to find a way to make a difference in the game and eliminate any explosives from that dynamic return game.”
The Texans and Ross have done their homework. All of those guys are just as important as any on the offense, besides Patrick Mahomes, of course. But, that is the mindset this team has.
They are all there for a reason- to do their job, and they do it better than anyone else.
While Ross named everyone on the special teams that has done well this season, he also probably knows this unit is not playing to their full potential.
It’s the missed blocks on returns, the bad coverage, sometimes bad punts or field goals. It is just a mix of everything that needs to be better.
This game against the Texans can be one where that unit is able to improve their confidence heading into their playoff stretch, because they will need it.
But, it won’t be easy, even if the Texans are 1-11-1, because this is the NFL, and anyone can beat anyone. Not only that, but they have obviously done their homework.
