{"id":293627,"date":"2025-08-16T20:42:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T20:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/293627\/"},"modified":"2025-08-16T20:42:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T20:42:19","slug":"seahawks-beat-chiefs-5-things-we-learned-on-a-rainy-night-in-seattle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/293627\/","title":{"rendered":"Seahawks Beat Chiefs: 5 things we learned on a rainy night in Seattle"},"content":{"rendered":"

The second week of the preseason is in the books. The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> got an extended look at some of their younger players on a rainy night in the Pacific Northwest, but fell to the Seattle Seahawks 33-16.<\/a> The game kicked off at 9 p.m. Arrowhead Time, which probably played into head coach Andy Reid\u2019s decision to sit his most important starters \u2014 including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, linebackers Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill, defensive tackle Chris Jones and others.<\/p>\n

In the long run, this probably helped the team get a better look at the young men who did play.<\/p>\n

Here are five things we learned.<\/p>\n

1. Nick Bolton is important to the run defense<\/p>\n

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Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a news flash: the Chiefs\u2019 starting linebackers are important to the success of their run defense.<\/p>\n

I know\u2026 this is cutting-edge analysis. But the Seahawks emphasized controlling the line of scrimmage and imposing their will on the ground. Against a defense without its general (and its best players), Seattle ran roughshod over Kansas City, collecting an embarrassing 268 yards on 48 carries.<\/p>\n

At its core, run defense is more about will than skill. It\u2019s lane discipline, winning one-on-one matchups, flowing to the ball, shedding blocks and making tackles. On Friday, Kansas City failed at every one of these steps \u2014 especially at the beginning of the game. Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet is a talented player, but in the first quarter, the Chiefs made him look like peak Jim Brown.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just preseason, so I\u2019m not hitting the panic button. But the Chiefs need Nick Bolton healthy this year.<\/p>\n

2. Chris Jones is important to the pass rush<\/p>\n

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Denny Medley-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Who would have thought taking the NFL\u2019s premier interior pass rusher out of the mix would cause the team\u2019s overall pass rush to suffer?<\/p>\n

Shockingly, that\u2019s precisely what happened.<\/p>\n

With Jones on the sideline, the pass rush was utterly ineffective. I\u2019m not saying the pass rush was bad. I\u2019m saying the pass rush didn\u2019t exist. On Friday night, Kansas City accumulated one quarterback hit. And zero sacks.<\/p>\n

Veterans like George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu struggled to get any push against Seattle\u2019s offensive line, while rookies Ashton Gillotte and Omarr Norman-Lott looked like developmental players who are not ready to be among the team\u2019s primary pass rushers.<\/p>\n

Also, where is Jerry Tillery? Did he make the trip to Seattle? Through two preseason games, he\u2019s been on a milk carton. He feels like a guy who could be on the roster bubble at the final cutdown.<\/p>\n

3. Trent McDuffie is important to the secondary<\/p>\n

\"Houston<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by Jason Hanna\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Are you noticing a trend yet?<\/p>\n

Early in the game, the Seahawks didn\u2019t just run the ball at will. They also moved the ball through the air very effectively. But let\u2019s be clear: it wasn\u2019t just McDuffie\u2019s absence that hurt the Chiefs. They also played another week without cornerback Kristian Fulton on the field, too.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs just don\u2019t have the depth to shoulder the absence of two starters in the secondary \u2014 especially when you consider that Nazeeh Johnson and rookie Nohl Williams also left the game with injuries.<\/p>\n

Right now, it feels like Kansas City is one quality player short of a good secondary.<\/p>\n

4. Jalen Royals is a viable option at kick returner<\/p>\n

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Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

One of Friday\u2019s few bright spots was Kansas City\u2019s kick returners. Skyy Moore not only managed to catch a punt, but also \u2014 somehow \u2014 returned it for a touchdown. While it was the special teams\u2019 highlight of the night, we need to be honest: it was too little, too late.<\/p>\n

But Jalen Royals taking his lone kickoff return back for 49 yards \u2014 and nearly taking it to the house \u2014 is another thing entirely. A week ago, Royals showed himself to be a capable receiver on offense. If he can also win the kick returner job, the battle that\u2019s now taking place in the Chiefs\u2019 wide receiver room will become very interesting for players like Nikko Remigio.<\/p>\n

5. The Chiefs may need to bring in a veteran or two<\/p>\n

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Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

If removing a handful of players from this defense suddenly made the Chiefs look like a bunch of doormats, then there\u2019s probably a need for more roster depth. Bringing in a veteran or two at key positions \u2014 let\u2019s say in the secondary and on the defensive line \u2014 would probably be very helpful.<\/p>\n

At this writing, we estimate that the team has $17.9 million in cap space. That gives them enough flexibility to make a move or two \u2014 especially if they can extend McDuffie in a way that opens more cap space in 2025.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t misunderstand me. Whether or not they bring in more depth, the Chiefs will be fine.<\/p>\n

If they added another competent cornerback, they would simply be more fine.<\/p>\n

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