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
