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Kansas City Chiefs: The Gift of Nab Keeps Giving

By Russell S. Baxter

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) returns an interception for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) and offensive tackle Daryl Williams (60) and guard Andrew Norwell (68) defend in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) returns an interception for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) and offensive tackle Daryl Williams (60) and guard Andrew Norwell (68) defend in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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These days, the Kansas City Chiefs remain one of the league’s hottest teams. And a lot of credit must go to a ball-hawking defensive unit.

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs erased a 1-5 start by winning their last 10 regular-season games. Their 11-5 record was good enough to grab a Wild Card berth. This season, the club is in the midst of a five-game winning streak after splitting their first four games.

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There’s plenty of credit to go around when it comes to Andy Reid’s squad. But one thing has become very evident the last season and a half. These Chiefs have a nose for the football—especially when the other team has it. The club currently leads the NFL with 22 takeaways, including a league-best 13 interceptions. Sunday’s 20-17 comeback win at Carolina was indicative of what we’ve seen from a team that has really put the hawk in ball-hawk.

In the fourth quarter, Kansas City safety Eric Berry returned a Cam Newton interception 42 yards for a score. Late in the game, cornerback Marcus Peters stripped Panthers wideout Kelvin Benjamin and held onto the ball. It set up teammate Cairo Santos’ 37-yard field goal on the final play of the game.

“When it’s all said and done, Eric Berry and Marcus Peters, the defense stepped up today,” said Reid courtesy of Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

“I took it from (Benjamin),” said Peters via Black & Blue Review. “You know how you go to the store and you want something and your momma tells you, you can’t have it?”

Peters has become quite the expert when it comes to opportunistic football. The 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is tied for the league lead with five interceptions. Add in three fumble recoveries and he has more than one third (8) of the Chiefs’ takeaway total.

But Peters is just one of many factors for a club that has really turned things around in this department the last year and change. In 2014, Kansas City forced just 14 turnovers in 16 contests, tied for the second-lowest total in the NFL. Last season, that number swelled to 29 takeaways. Peters tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions.

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So let’s do the math. In 25 regular-season contests dating back to the start of 2015, the Chiefs have racked up an impressive 51 takeaways. Peters has nearly one-third (16) of those opponent miscues and the team’s record is 18-7 over that span. While it’s always been better to give than receive, there are exceptions to the rule. And right now, the opportunistic Chiefs have the proper take on the matter.

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