Chiefs' cornerbacks have bounced back strong after messy Brazil trip
The Chiefs' defense had a miserable showing in Week 1. Kansas City's trip to Brazil was forgettable, especially on defense. Justin Herbert had one of his best games as a pro in that outing. However, the Chiefs certainly made it easier for him that night. But in the last two weeks, Kansas City's defense has bounced back in a major way. The cornerback room has stood out against some of the league's most dynamic wide receivers.
The Chiefs kept Philadelphia's amazing duo in check for most of the day in Week 2. Other than one highly lobbed prayer that DeVonta Smith came down with, he and A.J. Brown were unable to impose their will. Brown made five grabs but was limited to just 27 receiving yards and essentially no room after the catch. In the end, Smith had over half of his 53 yards on that 28-yard soft shot.
The Chiefs' defense had a miserable showing in Week 1. Kansas City's trip to Brazil was forgettable, especially on defense. Justin Herbert had one of his best games as a pro in that outing. However, the Chiefs certainly made it easier for him that night. But in the last two weeks, Kansas City's defense has bounced back in a major way. The cornerback room has stood out against some of the league's most dynamic wide receivers.
The Chiefs kept Philadelphia's amazing duo in check for most of the day in Week 2. Other than one highly lobbed prayer that DeVonta Smith came down with, he and A.J. Brown were unable to impose their will. Brown made five grabs but was limited to just 27 receiving yards and essentially no room after the catch. In the end, Smith had over half of his 53 yards on that 28-yard soft shot.
Then in Week 3, the Chiefs absolutely blanketed the electric Malik Nabers. The Chiefs placed extra eyes and attention on Nabers throughout Sunday night. He finished with just two catches on seven targets for only 13 receiving yards. Any patented deep shot that Russell Wilson attempted to Nabers was shut down. That included Jaylen Watson's interception in the end zone.
The Chiefs cornerbacks are an impressive and effective group in 2025.
Beyond Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson had a single grab on four targets. Robinson and Nabers each had huge days the previous week against the Dallas Cowboys. The two combined for 17 receptions, 309 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns in Big D. But against the Chiefs, Robinson and Nabers combined for roughly a sixth of that production with no scores.
Trent McDuffie has earned the status of an elite cornerback for a couple of years now. His work against the Eagles, specifically with physicality and tackling, stood out. He can do so much as an all-around player at cornerback in multiple areas of the field. Not all cornerbacks can say the same.
Watson has steadily been able to hold his own against athletic pass catchers. Despite no real strength in his movement skills, Watson has always had a great feel for timing, ball skills, and poise against shifty, fast receivers.
Kansas City also has to be pleased with the performances of rookie Nohl Williams and the versatile Chris Roland-Wallace so far. Williams did get a penalty against the Giants, but in the last two games he has stood tall and not backed down against experienced veterans. His stickiness in man coverage is exactly what the Chiefs were hoping to get from him.
Finally, Roland-Wallace shows he can offer a stout nose for the football. He had an interception against the Giants. CRW is certainly a unique weapon for a defensive coordinator like Steve Spagnuolo.
The Chiefs have many other stiff tests coming up against opposing pass offenses. The Ravens, Jaguars, and Lions all offer a rare blend of size and quickness in their pass-catching rooms over the next few weeks. Kansas City knows it can trust its cornerback room to continue this hot stretch nonetheless.
Then in Week 3, the Chiefs absolutely blanketed the electric Malik Nabers. The Chiefs placed extra eyes and attention on Nabers throughout Sunday night. He finished with just two catches on seven targets for only 13 receiving yards. Any patented deep shot that Russell Wilson attempted to Nabers was shut down. That included Jaylen Watson's interception in the end zone.
The Chiefs cornerbacks are an impressive and effective group in 2025.
Beyond Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson had a single grab on four targets. Robinson and Nabers each had huge days the previous week against the Dallas Cowboys. The two combined for 17 receptions, 309 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns in Big D. But against the Chiefs, Robinson and Nabers combined for roughly a sixth of that production with no scores.
Trent McDuffie has earned the status of an elite cornerback for a couple of years now. His work against the Eagles, specifically with physicality and tackling, stood out. He can do so much as an all-around player at cornerback in multiple areas of the field. Not all cornerbacks can say the same.
Watson has steadily been able to hold his own against athletic pass catchers. Despite no real strength in his movement skills, Watson has always had a great feel for timing, ball skills, and poise against shifty, fast receivers.
Kansas City also has to be pleased with the performances of rookie Nohl Williams and the versatile Chris Roland-Wallace so far. Williams did get a penalty against the Giants, but in the last two games he has stood tall and not backed down against experienced veterans. His stickiness in man coverage is exactly what the Chiefs were hoping to get from him.
Finally, Roland-Wallace shows he can offer a stout nose for the football. He had an interception against the Giants. CRW is certainly a unique weapon for a defensive coordinator like Steve Spagnuolo.
The Chiefs have many other stiff tests coming up against opposing pass offenses. The Ravens, Jaguars, and Lions all offer a rare blend of size and quickness in their pass-catching rooms over the next few weeks. Kansas City knows it can trust its cornerback room to continue this hot stretch nonetheless.
Ben Roethlisberger Slams Steelers’ Coaching Staff, Cites Regret Over Letting Brian Flores Go
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a coaching staff that has been under fire for the better part of a decade. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and that is completely unacceptable in the city of Pittsburgh. He has done a good job of keeping his team competitive during the regular season, but things are usually falling apart by the time the postseason rolls around. He has made questionable hires over the years on his staff, while also keeping certain coaches around for far too long. All of this has hurt the team in some way, and there will be a prime example of that on display in Week 4.
It hasn't seemed like there has been any real hope of Pittsburgh advancing in the playoffs ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. The Steelers repeating the same process year after year has grown tiresome for the fan base. Now, the Steelers are going to potentially see one of their former coaches pick them apart during their Week 4 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings who have Brian Flores on staff as their defensive coordinator. Roethlisberger had some thoughts on this during the most recent episode of
"I'm afraid of our line, that they're not gonna get it done," Roethlisberger said. "And Flores is gonna take advantage of it, because he's a very good defensive coordinator. He knows what he's doing. We never should have let him go, and he's gonna find a way to attack."
Flores was in Pittsburgh as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach during the 2022 season, and some fans wanted him to stick around. It was known he was going to have opportunities elsewhere when the season ended, and he landed the job as the defensive coordinator in Minnesota. Things have gone well there for him, but fans in Pittsburgh still wish he was on the sidelines for Pittsburgh as the defense is not playing up to expectations under Teryl Austin and Tomlin.
Flores has also discussed his upcoming matchup with his former team, and he expressed a lot of gratitude for his time in Pittsburgh. He was hired by Tomlin and the Steelers during the 2022 offseason just weeks after he filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL and specific teams in the league for discrimination. It was looking like he would certainly be out of a job in 2022 while that got settled, but Tomlin chose to bring him on staff in Pittsburgh.
The defensive coach was poached from Pittsburgh after just one season, and he is now one of the best in the league at what he does. Minnesota ranked first in turnovers during the 2024 season while also
Steelers Could Still Regret Letting Brian Flores Walk
Pittsburgh still had Austin as its defensive coordinator in 2022, but it has always been fairly clear that when the defense plays well, it is because of the talent on that side of the ball. Austin has never been the type of coach or play-caller that could change the game in a positive manner due to a specific concept, disguise, or play design the league has never seen before. Flores does have the ability to do that, which is why fans are frustrated that he is not the current defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.
Roethlisberger is nervous about this matchup in Ireland, and he is leaning towards Minnesota in the game. He cites the defense and Flores as a big reason why, which is unfortunate for fans.
