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2015 Defensive Review: How Did the Chiefs Stack Up Against Everyone Else?

Stats, rankings and a game-by-game look at the defense in 2015

The ability to come back from a 1-5 start all the way to their first playoff win in more than two decades will be one of the many ways the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs will be defined in franchise history.

That comeback, which started at home with a 23-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, was led by the performance of the defense, which allowed just 12.9 points per game over the final 12 games of the season.

Week

Opponent

Result

Points Allowed

Week 7

Pittsburgh Steelers

W

13

Week 8

Detroit Lions

W

10

Week 10

Denver Broncos

W

13

Week 11

San Diego Chargers

W

3

Week 12

Buffalo Bills

W

22

Week 13

Oakland Raiders

W

20

Week 14

San Diego Chargers

W

3

Week 15

Baltimore Ravens

W

14

Week 16

Cleveland Browns

W

13

Week 17

Oakland Raiders

W

17

Wild Card

Houston Texans

W

0

Divisional

New England Patriots

L

27

For a complete breakdown of the defense in a game-by-game look, click **here.**

Here's a breakdown of where the Chiefs finished in different statistical categories throughout the regular season:

Key Defensive Rankings for Chiefs in 2015

Category

Rank

Value

NFL Average

Offensive Points Allowed

3

273

340

Total Yards Allowed (per game)

7

329.3

352.7

Passing Yards Allowed (per game)

9

231.1

243.8

Rushing Yards Allowed (per game)

8

98.2

108.8

Passer Rating Against Blitz

4

73.74

89.96

Average Starting Field Position

3

24.6

27.5

Red Zone 3rd down conversions

5

32

40.2

3rd and 4th-and-1 conversions

1

44.4

66.6

Pass completions of 20 yards

4T

46

53

Yards after Catch Allowed

3

1,626

1,926

Percentage of 1st down plays gaining 4 yards

3

42.9

46.8

Third down conversion percentage

2

33.2

39

Opponent Plays of 20 yards

6

55

63

Quick Strike Drives - Points in less than 4 plays

2

15

44

Sacks

4

47

37

Takeaways

5

29

23.1

Interceptions

2

22

13.6

Takeaway Points Scored

3

119

71

Here are the top individual performances and plays against the Chiefs this season:

2015 Opponent Individual Single-Game Highs

Passes Attempted

48

Derek Carr

at Oakland

12/6

Passes Completed

31

Derek Carr

at Oakland

12/6

Passing Yards

333

Aaron Rodgers

at Green Bay

9/28

Touchdown Passes

5

Aaron Rodgers

at Green Bay

9/28

Pass Receptions

9

DeAndre Hopkins

Houston

9/13

Receiving Yards

158

Sammy Watkins

Buffalo

11/29

Touchdown Receptions

3

Randall Cobb

at Green Bay

9/28

Rushing Yards

121

Le'Veon Bell

Pittsburgh

10/25

Rushing Attempts

26

Adrian Peterson

at Minnesota

10/18

Rushing Touchdowns

3

Jeremy Hill

at Cincinnati

10/4

Yards From Scrimmage

158

Sammy Watkins

Buffalo

11/29

Combined Net Yards

158

Sammy Watkins

Buffalo

11/29

Here are the longest plays against the defense this season:

2015 Opponent Longest Plays

Run From Scrimmage

42

Le'Veon Bell

Pittsburgh

10/25

Touchdown Run

13

Giovani Bernard

at Cincinnati

10/4

Pass Reception

55

Brandon Tate

at Cincinnati

10/4

Touchdown Reception

55

Brandon Tate

at Cincinnati

10/4

Interception Return

46

Nate Orchard

Cleveland

12/27

Punt Return

17

Kaelin Clay

at Baltimore

12/20

Kick Return

70

Taiwan Jones

Oakland

1/3

Punt

67

Kevin Huber

at Cincinnati

10/4

Field Goal

54

Brandon McManus

Denver

9/17

The defense was particularly dominant in division games, during which they held opposing quarterbacks to well below their season averages.

Against AFC West quarterbacks, the Chiefs defense allowed just 58.8 percent of passes to be completed for an average of just 225 yards with 7 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

That's a significant difference than how they fared in the rest of their games, during which they completed 63.7 percent of their passes for an average of 282 yards per game with 76 touchdowns and 38 interceptions.

At 5-1, the Chiefs had the best record within the AFC West division, but their 11-5 overall record was one game shy of surpassing Denver (12-4) for the AFC West division title. It was the first time the Chiefs won at least five games in the division since 2003.

The Chiefs had five defensive players end up with Pro Bowl honors this season in linebackers Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, as well as defensive backs Eric Berry and Marcus Peters.

A look at the best photos from the Kansas City Chiefs 2015 season

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