Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has extra motivation vs. Miami Dolphins. Here’s why

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie says he and his teammates aren’t oblivious.

They understand what they’re up against Sunday when they face the Miami Dolphins offense in Frankfurt, Germany.

“Shoot, we watch the film. Everybody knows,” McDuffie told The Star. “They’re for real a track team.”

But that’s also appealing.

McDuffie says the Chiefs’ defensive backs, in particular, know they’re about to face the No. 1 offense. And also the top group of receivers in the league.

“It’s a challenge for us to go out there and prove that we are the truth,” McDuffie said, “and that we can play with the best.”

The Chiefs’ defense has certainly built itself up to make this an intriguing matchup.

Its emergence has been one of the biggest stories of the NFL this season, as the Chiefs rank top five in fewest points and yards allowed per game. Advanced numbers also reflect a similar level of success; FTN Fantasy’s all-encompassing DVOA measure has the Chiefs as the fifth-best defense overall and the fourth-best pass defense.

This, however, promises to be the unit’s most demanding test — by far.

Miami’s offense ranks first in about every offensive measure available: points per game, yards per game, DVOA total offense and run offense.

The Dolphins are also way out in front in a few metrics. For example, they score 33.9 points per game when no other team is in the 30s. They’re also at 7.3 yards per play, with second-place San Francisco a distant second at 6.3 yards.

“They get that praise,” Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams said, “but deservedly so.”

Which makes it an opportunity for KC to earn some respect of its own.

Shutting down Miami, the Chiefs know, would go a long way toward building their defensive reputation.

“We’ve been playing good, and just because we’re playing a good offense, that doesn’t mean we just want to roll on our bellies and give up,” Williams said. “We still plan to play good defense, play the same brand of defense we’ve been playing, and give them a tough battle. I know that’s what we’ll do.”

The first priority for the Chiefs’ defense might not be what fans would expect.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, linebacker Drue Tranquill and McDuffie each spoke of the same goal in separate interviews this week: Make Miami “one-dimensional.” All spoke to the importance of limiting the Dolphins’ run game, saying it would be a significant edge for the Chiefs if they forced this opponent into a dropback-pass-only scenario.

“If they’re allowed to run the ball and set up their play action,” Tranquill said, “it’s going to be tough.”

Miami’s rhythm passing game with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is set up to take advantage of the team’s greatest strength: speed.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Dolphins have the five fastest ball-carrier plays of the season coming from receiver Tyreek Hill, now-injured running back Devon Achane and back Raheem Mostert. That list doesn’t even include receiver Jaylen Waddle, who clocked the sixth-fastest time last year at 21.68 mph.

That kind of ability, Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu said, gives Miami’s offense a “Madden-kind of look.”

“They probably could get a 4X1 (relay team),” Omeninu said, “and beat anybody in the league.”

McDuffie also notes that Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is a master of “eye candy.” He’ll move players around with shifts and motions and is frequently creative with Hill, whom he’ll sometimes line up in the backfield and other times put at tight end.

Ultimately, McDuffie said he believed the biggest keys would be stopping the run and limiting big plays.

And if the Chiefs get that done? They’ll likely do more than slow the Dolphins; they’ll also validate themselves as one of the NFL’s best defenses.

“It’s gonna be a big challenge for us,” McDuffie said, “but I think we’re all excited.”