Throughout the season, I’ll be looking at one good thing and one bad thing in the most recent Kansas City Chiefs game. It’s a good way to discuss what happened — and identify encouraging (and discouraging) trends that may be developing.

Let’s start with the Chiefs’ 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Week 5 edition of “Monday Night Football.”

One good thing: the Chiefs’ under-center running game

NFL teams run the ball from two main formations: shotgun and under center. While some teams also mix in a pistol alignment, every team uses the two main types. The differences between them change everything about how a team runs its offense — particularly in the running game.

It’s easier to pass from shotgun, because the quarterback doesn’t have to take the traditional five to seven-step dropback, which allows more flexibility. It’s also much easier to build run-pass options (RPOs) from a shotgun formation.

Kansas City has lived on early-down RPOs for years. Almost every shotgun run that the Chiefs call has a pass attached to it. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes’s ability to make quick decisions (and throw from any angle), the team can do many different things from these looks.

But there is a trade-off: running more RPOs limits how aggressive you can be in the running game. When there is the potential for a pass, offensive linemen can’t block downfield; blocking angles become restricted. So it’s easier for defensive lines to win the line of scrimmage against RPO-heavy teams.

The Chiefs have struggled with this over the last couple of years. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt aren’t particularly effective runners in shotgun, because good shotgun backs typically offer elite vision and the ability to make defenders miss in space. That isn’t a strength for either player. So while Kansas City has had a great offensive line, chunk runs have been limited by the running backs’ fit in the system.

One way to fix this is by running more plays from under center, where RPOs are limited because the quarterback turns his back to the defense to hand off the ball. But there’s an advantage, too: it unlocks the play-action game. Going under center also benefits the running game, because offensive linemen can fire off the ball and play more downhill.

In Week 5, the Chiefs leaned heavily into runs from under center.

Since the second half of the Giants game, the Chiefs appear to be sprinkling more under-center runs into their offense. I charted both Hunt and Pacheco’s carries from Monday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Run Type Pacheco Hunt
Shotgun Att 4 5
Shotgun Yds 24 10
Shotgun Success Rate 75% 60%
Under Center Att 2 2
Under Center Yds 11 39
Under Center Success 50% 100%

The Chiefs primarily run zone concepts from under center. This fits their offensive line perfectly, because it’s one of the league’s most athletic. All five players are explosive movers who can reach angles that most can’t. In addition, all (except Jawaan Taylor) play with a nasty edge, creating real displacement in the running game. While most zone-based linemen tend to be lighter guys who rely on positioning, Kansas City’s will bash and finish defenders. They’ve been very impressive.

This approach is also a better fit for the team’s running backs. Zone runs from under center allow Hunt and Pacheco to be more decisive: they can make one cut to go north-south. Pacheco, in particular, thrives when he’s attacking downhill. When he has to hesitate — or read too long — the play often stalls.

The Chiefs also want more explosive pass plays. Runs from under center will also help there. A credible running threat from these formations will force linebackers to creep forward, leaving big windows downfield.

Kansas City has all the tools needed for an outstanding under-center offense. The team just needs to commit to it more often.

One bad thing: the Chiefs’ pass rush

If Kansas City doesn’t reach (or win) Super Bowl LX, it will be because of its pass rush.

Through five weeks, the team’s four-man pass rush has been bad. It simply haven’t generated consistent pressure from this alignment. It’s easy to see.

This problem has many layers. But let’s put it simply: the defensive line isn’t winning enough.

It starts with defensive tackle Chris Jones, who hasn’t been the same player this year. While he’s not playing poorly, he’s also not playing at the elite, game-wrecking level we’ve come to expect. He’s indeed facing lots of attention — but even against single blocks, he’s been less disruptive.

This creates a ripple effect. If he’s not drawing attention or forcing chaos, others must step up — and they haven’t been. On the edge, George Karlaftis hasn’t generated enough quick pressure. Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna haven’t been producing, either. The two rookie defensive linemen haven’t flashed much yet — and the depth behind them is thin. None of the rotational defensive tackles are providing interior pressure.

Still, the Chiefs are excellent blitzers — because defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can scheme pressure better than almost anyone. But at some point, NFL teams must be able to get pressure with four pass rushers. Otherwise, the defense becomes predictable — and even worse, susceptible to explosive plays. Quarterbacks have the time to pick apart coverages and attack downfield.

Frankly, everyone else on the defense played well on Monday. It’s just that the defensive line was so ineffective that it didn’t matter.

This has been a recurring issue for two straight seasons. We know that the Chiefs can win a Super Bowl with a flawed defensive line — they did it in Super Bowl LVIII — but it’s still a glaring weakness. It’s too early to discuss offseason moves, but it’s clear that the position group needs a serious overhaul. As it now stands, it’s not good enough.