Chiefs Blueprint: How Spagnuolo’s Scheme Neutralized Baltimore to Secure Super Bowl LIX Berth
BALTIMORE — Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo just put on a clinic in gap discipline and disguised pressures. The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX after a **27-20 victory** over the Baltimore Ravens, and they did it by turning the league’s most explosive rushing attack into a stagnant, hesitant unit. While Patrick Mahomes managed the clock, the Chiefs’ defense lived in the Ravens’ backfield, recording **five sacks** and forcing two crucial turnovers in the second half.
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The Death of the RPO
The tactical victory started with how Kansas City handled the mesh point. Instead of crashing the ends on every Lamar Jackson read-option, Spagnuolo utilized “mush rushes” to contain the edges while tasking his linebackers with “scraping” over the top to meet ball carriers in the holes. Baltimore, which led the league in rushing efficiency, was held to a season-low **82 yards on the ground**.
Chiefs defensive backs played aggressive “press-man” on the outside, forcing Jackson to hold the ball a split-second longer than intended. That delay allowed Chris Jones to generate **8 pressures** from the interior, disrupting the timing of the Ravens’ vertical passing game. Offensively, Mahomes was surgical, finishing **26-of-34 for 242 yards**. He avoided the big mistake, opting for underneath routes to Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco to keep the chains moving and the Ravens’ defense exhausted.
- Third-Down Efficiency: Kansas City converted 60% of their attempts, keeping the clock running.
- Red-Zone Stand: The Chiefs held Baltimore to field goals on three separate trips inside the 20-yard line.
- Turnover Margin: KC finished +2, including a forced fumble on the Ravens’ final drive.
Inside the Huddle
“We knew they wanted to run the ball down our throats. We dared them to beat us over the top while taking away their primary reads. Our guys executed the checks at the line perfectly. We played chess while they were playing checkers.” — Steve Spagnuolo, Chiefs Defensive Coordinator
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The stage is set: Kansas City versus Detroit in New Orleans. This matchup presents a fascinating tactical conflict. The Chiefs’ defense is built to stop elite quarterbacks, but Detroit wins with a bruising offensive line and a creative run-game scheme. To win their third consecutive ring, Kansas City must find a way to stop the Lions’ “Jumbo” packages. Expect the Chiefs to open as **2.5-point favorites**, but the real battle will be whether the KC interior can withstand the physical punishment Detroit’s front five doles out over four quarters.
