There was a time that the Kansas City Chiefs' defense was under the microscope from the outside world, particularly the run defense.
There for a few weeks, they were giving up a lot of yards each week and consequently, the defense was struggling to consistently stop the chains from moving.
It was a popular topic surrounding this team.
But over the past three weeks, the group up front seems to have taken that challenge to heart—allowing an average of just 3.13 yards per carry to opposing teams' featured running backs.
The Chiefs haven't faced any slouches either—going up against the Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott, the Giants' Orleans Darkwa, and the Bills' LeSean McCoy.
Both Elliott and McCoy could be considered two of the best backs in the league, and they couldn't manage to get anything going against the Chiefs' front seven.
"There's a lot of things that go into it," Chiefs' coach Andy Reid explained of the defense's recent success against the run. "I'd tell you, the defensive front, those linebackers and d-line collectively, are doing a nice job and we're getting support off of our safeties and tackling well. They've done a nice job of that."
As it gets later in the season and the weather across the country begins to change for the worse, the need for teams to shut down the running game becomes even more important.
"We're never satisfied on this defense," defensive lineman Chis Jones explained. "We really want to be the best."
Led by their ability to stop the running game, the Chiefs' defense has allowed just 28 points combined over the past two weeks. They face a Jets' team on Sunday that ranks 20th in the league in rushing offense, averaging 102.3 yards per game on the ground.
The Jets featured running back is Bilal Powell, who has carried it 102 times for 454 yards and two touchdowns this season.
"This is a perfect time for us to come together as a team," Jones added. "We call ourselves 'family,' so let's stick together as a family, as one. We're playing for each other brother to brother. This is a learning stage. It's hard to win games in the NFL, no matter who you're playing, no matter the record or streak, and we're just in a patch right now.
"We'll definitely overcome it."
