When most people talk about the Kansas City Chiefs, they bring up Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and that unstoppable offense – which is understandable for a lot of reasons, but we shouldn’t let that stop us from appreciating what Chris Jones has been doing (and continues to do) for the Chiefs’ defensive front.
He was drafted by the Chiefs with the No. 37 overall pick (2nd round) of the 2016 NFL Draft and is now in his eighth season with the team. He has 255 tackles, 69 tackles for loss, 70.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, 36 passes defended, and 1 safety in 112 games played in his career.
His breakout season came in 2018 when he had 15.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 16 games played. He went on to have 9.0 sacks in 2019 (13 games), 7.5 sacks in 2020 (15 games), and 9.0 sacks in 2021 (14 games) before tying a career-high with 15.5 sacks and adding 17 tackles for loss in 2022 (17 games).
A Closer Look at Chris Jones’ Impressive 8-Game Sack Streak
Chris Jones had an unfortunate start to his 2023 season. The star defensive tackle didn’t report to training camp and decided to hold out for a contract extension – he was entering the final year of his contract and wanted to secure a new one before the season started, but the Chiefs were playing hard to get at first.
It wasn’t until Sept. 11 that they agreed to a new one-year contract, but that means he missed the Chiefs’ Week 1 game against the Lions – a 20-21 loss to open the season. With a new contract in place, Jones returned to the team for Week 2 and has been with the team ever since – in fact, he has been dominant.
Chris Jones has now recorded at least one sack in five straight games to start the 2023 season – he has 5.5 sacks through five games – and eight straight regular season games (dating back to last season). To commemorate how dominant he has been over the past 8 games, let’s take a closer look at that streak!
1. 1.0 sacks vs. Geno Smith and the Seahawks (Dec. 24, 2022)
On December 24, 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Seattle Seahawks for Week 16 of the 2022 regular season. The Chiefs never trailed in this game and ended up beating the Seahawks 24-10 in front of 73,331 fans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – improving their record to 12-3-0 on the season.
Chris Jones finished the game with 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, and 4 quarterback hits – his sack was the last play of the game and resulted in a six-yard loss by Geno Smith. The only other Chiefs’ player to record a sack in this one was George Karlaftis III, who sacked Smith for a nine-yard loss.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 16 of 28 for 224 yards and 3 total TDs, while Travis Kelce had 6 catches for 113 yards. Nick Bolton led the team with 18 tackles, Juan Thornhill had the team’s lone turnover off an interception, and Willie Gay Jr. had two passes defended in their 12th win of the year.
This was just the second game Chris Jones has ever played against the Seahawks. He last played them on December 23, 2018 and finished with 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 3 quarterback hits – bringing his sack total to 2.5 when playing against Seattle. Will he add to that total in the future? Maybe!
2. 1.0 sacks vs. Russell Wilson and the Broncos (Jan. 1, 2023)
On January 1, 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Denver Broncos for Week 17 of the 2022 regular season. It was a close game the entire way through, but it was the Chiefs who walked away with a tight 27-24 win in front of 73,571 fans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – improving their record to 13-3.
Chris Jones finished the game with 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and 1 quarterback hit. His lone sack came on a 4th-and-2 with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter – sacking Russell Wilson for a nine-yard loss and forcing a turnover on downs. The Chiefs ran out the clock with the ensuing drive, sealing the victory.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 29 of 42 for 328 yards and 3 TDs, while Jerick McKinnon had 5 catches for 52 yards and 2 TDs – 7 different receivers finished with at least 25 yards. Trent McDuffie, Khalen Saunders, and George Karlaftis III each finished with a sack, while L’Jarius Sneed had an INT.
This was the 13th game Chris Jones has played against the Broncos – the Chiefs play them twice every single year because they’re in the same division (AFC West). He has recorded at least one sack in five of those games. Here’s a fun stat – his team has never lost to the Broncos when he’s on the field playing.
3. 2.5 sacks vs. Jarrett Stidham and the Raiders (Jan. 7, 2023)
On January 7, 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for Week 18 of the 2022 regular season. The Chiefs never trailed in this one and ended up beating the Raiders 31-13 in front of 62,136 people inside Allegiant Stadium – ending the season with a 14-3-0 record (the best in the NFL).
Chris Jones had 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 6 quarterback hits in the win. All three of his sacks came against Jarrett Stidham – including a sack for a 7-yard loss in the first quarter, a half-sack with George Karlaftis III in the second quarter, and a third sack for a nine-yard loss in the final quarter.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 18 of 26 for 202 yards and 1 TD and Justin Watson had a 67-yard reception, while the Chiefs combined for 168 rushing yards and 3 rushing TDs. Michael Danna had 2.0 sacks and 2 forced fumbles, Juan Thornhill had an INT, and Nick Bolton led the team with 16 tackles.
This was Chris Jones’ 14th time playing against the Raiders – like the Broncos, the Chiefs play them twice every year as members of the AFC West. He has recorded at least one sack in five of those games and has a total of 7.5 sacks in 14 games against the Raiders – his team only lost two of those games!
4. 1.5 sacks vs. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (Sept. 17, 2023)
On September 17, 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for Week 2 of the 2023 regular season. The Chiefs scored the only two touchdowns of the game and ended up winning 17-9 in front of 69,915 people at EverBank Stadium – improving their record to 1-1-0 early on in the season.
Chris Jones finished with 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 pass defended, and 2 QB hits. He first sacked Trevor Lawrence for a five-yard loss on 4th and 4 with just over 4 minutes left in the first half. He then recorded a half-sack with Felix Anudike-Uzomah with just under five minutes left in the game.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 29 of 41 for 305 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT, while Skyy Moore and Travis Kelce each had a touchdown in the win. George Karlaftis III chipped in with 1.5 sacks, L’Jarius Sneed had two passes defended and a fumble recovery, and Nick Bolton led the team with eight tackles.
This was Chris Jones’ fifth time playing against the Jaguars – having done so in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, and now 2023. He now has 3.0 sacks in his past two games against the Jags and has 4.0 career sacks against the Jags. Not only that, but the Chiefs are now 5-0-0 against the Jags when Jones is in the lineup.
5. 1.0 sacks vs. Justin Fields and the Bears (Sept. 24, 2023
On September 24, 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Chicago Bears for Week 3 of the 2023 regular season. The Chiefs scored 41 unanswered points to start the game and ended up winning 41-10 in front of 73,562 fans at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium – improving their record to 2-1 on the year.
Chris Jones had 1 tackle, 1 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and 1 QB hit. His sack came against Justin Fields with 3:18 left in the first quarter and it resulted in an 8-yard loss on the play. It was one of just three sacks by the Chiefs – Michael Danna had one, and Drue Tranquill and George Karlaftis III combined for one.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 24 of 33 with 272 yards and 3 TDs, Travis Kelce had 7 catches for 69 yards and 1 TD, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Isiah Pacheco combined for 117 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. Mike Edwards had an interception and Justin Reid had a fumble recovery on defense.
This was Chris Jones’ second time playing against the Chicago Bears in his career – his first game was on December 22, 2019. He now has 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and 2 quarterback hits when suiting up against the Bears and the Chiefs are now 2-0-0 against the Bears when Jones is on the field.
6. 1.0 sacks vs. Zach Wilson and the Jets (Oct. 1, 2023)
On October 1, 2023, the New York Jets hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for Week 4 of the 2023 regular season. The Chiefs had a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Jets came back and tied it up 20-20 in the third quarter. A go-ahead field with 11 minutes left gave the Chiefs a tight 23-20 victory.
Chris Jones had 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and 2 quarterback hits. His sack came against Zach Wilson with just 4 seconds left in the first half and it resulted in a loss of 7 yards on the play. Mike Edwards – a cornerback for Kansas City – was the only other Chiefs’ player to record a sack in this one.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 18 of 30 with 203 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs, Isiah Pacheco had 158 yards and 1 TD, and Travis Kelce had 6 catches for 60 yards. Drue Tranquill had a forced fumble and led the defense with 8 tackles, while Leo Chenal and Trent McDuffie each added 6 tackles of their own.
This was Chris Jones’ fourth time playing against the Jets and the Chiefs are now 3-1-0 in those games. It marked the first time Jones recorded a sack against the Jets, the first time he recorded a tackle for loss against the Jets, and the first time he recorded more than one solo tackle against the Jets in his career.
7. 1.0 sacks vs. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings (Oct. 8, 2023)
On October 8, 2023, the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for Week 5 of the 2023 regular season. The game was tied 13-13 at halftime, but the Chiefs scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to run away with it. They ended up winning 27-20 in front of 67,003 fans at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Chris Jones had 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, 3 quarterback hits, and 1 pass defended. His lone sack came against Kirk Cousins with 6:28 remaining in the second quarter and resulted in a loss of 7 yards. It was one of three sacks by Kansas City – Michael Danna and Leo Chenal each had one too.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 31 of 41 with 281 yards and 2 touchdowns, Isiah Pacheco had 64 total yards and 1 TD, and Travis Kelce had 10 catches for 67 yards and 1 TD. Justin Reid had a forced fumble, Trent McDuffie had 3 passes defended, and Drue Tranquill led the defense with 9 tackles.
This was just the second time Chris Jones has played against the Vikings in his career. His first game came on Nov. 3, 2019 and it had a similar outcome – Jones finished with 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 QB hits, and 1.0 sack in a 26-23 loss. He now has at least one sack every single time he plays Minnesota.
8. 1.0 sacks vs. Russell Wilson and the Broncos (Oct. 12, 2023)
On October 12, 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Denver Broncos for Week 6 of the 2023 regular season. The Chiefs’ offense was struggling to score a touchdown, but they managed to take a 16-0 lead into the 4th quarter and won the game 19-8 in front of 73,528 fans at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium.
Chris Jones had 4 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 pass defended, and 3 quarterback hits. His lone sack came against Russell Wilson with 28 seconds left in the first half and it resulted in a loss of 7 yards. Justin Reid and Drue Tranquill also had a sack, while George Karlaftis III and Malik Herring combined for a sack.
Patrick Mahomes finished the game 30 of 40 with 306 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT, while Pacheco finished with 98 total yards and Travis Kelce finished with 9 catches for 124 yards. Reid and Nick Bolton had an interception, Trent McDuffie had a forced fumble, and Willie Gay Jr. had a fumble recovery on defense.
This was Chris Jones’ 14th time playing the Denver Broncos (like we mentioned earlier, they’re both in the same division and play one another twice every season). The Chiefs are now 14-0-0 against Denver with Jones on the field and he has 28 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, and 6.0 sacks against Denver.
Will Chris Jones Break His Streak Record?
Chris Jones is on an impressive sacks streak right now – to put it into perspective, only 23 NFL players have recorded at least one sack in eight straight regular season games since 1970. Of course, Jones is one of just three NFL players to do it twice in their career – joining Reggie White and Robert Mathis.
During the 2018 season, Jones broke an NFL record (since 1970) by recording a sack in 11 straight regular season games between October 7, 2018 and December 23, 2018 (Weeks 5 and 16 of the 2018 season). He had 33 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, and one INT return TD during that streak.
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When the Chiefs take the field against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday (Oct. 22), Chris Jones will have an opportunity to become the first NFL player (since 1970) to record at least one sack in nine straight games twice in their career and has an opportunity to tie his current record in Germany on Nov. 5.
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