We've all noted that, during the last TB-KC game, Todd Bowles adjusted in the second half, with less blitzing and more 2-deep coverage, with considerable success. But it's also worth noting that KC, to some extent, took its foot off the gas pedal, as many teams do with a lead.
Here's the dilemma. If you blitz Mahomes, he's deadly – 16 TDs/1 INT this season. And if you devote more players to coverage, but don't generate pressure, he can also be successful because Hill and Kelce and others are great at getting open on improvised plays that take time to develop. KC has long-play improvisation down to a science. So, the key is pressure with four d-linemen — give Mahomes LESS TIME while dropping more players into coverage. This time around, the Bucs have a great new asset. Take a look at this rating from PFF:
Highest-graded DT’s of 2020:
1. Aaron Donald – 93.1
2. Vita Vea – 90.3
3. Jeffery Simmons – 90.1
4. Cameron Heyward – 88.7
5. Shelby Harris – 86.9
Vea, based on his five-game sample, is just a tick under the most dominant defensive player in the league, a DT who enables his team to pressure with four by drawing (and often beating) double-teams. Vea does the same.
If Vea and Suh collapse the middle, and JPP and Shaq regularly beat the Chiefs' replacement tackles, Mahomes should have far less time to throw, cutting off the long balls that power KC. Sure, Andy Reid can scheme into shorter pass plays, but that, as others have pointed out, is an Achilles Heel for KC. They are just not that good at dink and dunk (e.g., 16th in Red Zone scoring).
