Arizona Cardinals Vance Joseph finds familiar foe in Chiefs
Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be facing a very familiar foe in Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
This fifth regular season meeting between the two coaches finds Joseph in a slightly different role. Not that long ago in 2017-2018 seasons Vance Joseph was on the sidelines as the head coach of the Denver Broncos. The two AFC West opponents met twice a season in those two years.
In the first game on October 30th of 2017, The Chiefs came out on top with quarterback Alex Smith leading the way to a 29-19 win. The Chief’s win was clearly helped more by the Broncos mistakes on offense than anything.
In that game, quarterback Trevor Siemian threw three interceptions and the Broncos turned the ball over twice on fumbles in the losing cause. The second game saw Patrick Mahomes starting his first game as the Chief’s quarterback.
On December 24th of 2017, Mahomes threw for 284 yards, an interception, and zero touchdowns. The Broncos kept that game close (27-24) but again the offense was the culprit in the loss. Five sacks by the Kansas City defense and three turnovers on offense doomed the Broncos.
In 2018, Vance Joseph’s last season coaching the Broncos, his defense allowed over 300 yards passing per game in those two games. Mahomes’ five touchdowns along with Kareem Hunt’s 170 yards and touchdowns by Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were too much for Joseph’s defense.
Sunday’s Arizona Cardinals vs Chiefs game has Vance Joseph focusing on the Cardinals defense.
This time, it’s the injury list that may hamper his efforts. DE J.J. Watt and CB Byron Murphy were questionable for today’s game, with Watt’s status looking in even greater doubt. Newcomer cornerback Trayvon Mullen Jr is also out.
The best defense for Vance Joseph may be a great offense led by quarterback Kyler Murray and RB James Conner. If the Cardinals can control the time of possession they have a good shot to win this game.
On the defensive side, a lot rests on the shoulders of inside linebackers Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons . They have to help out a banged up defensive line cover the run. Simmons especially must play well in coverage versus the pass. In addition, Patrick Mahomes will have to be contained.
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Vance Joseph has plenty of past experience to figure Reid and Mahomes out by now. Otherwise, this could be a long day for Arizona Cardinals fans.