KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s unit had its way with the Jacksonsville Jaguars in a season-opening 28-2 win.
The Chiefs defense dominated the Jaguars offense, holding them to 178 total yards.
Sep 8, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass in the second quarter of the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Giants 36-31. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
However, Sunday’s home opener at Arrowhead Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys offers a different challenge, a fact not lost on Sutton.
“To be truthful, they just have a lot of weapons there,” Sutton said during his Thursday media session. “That’s why they’re one of the better offenses in the NFL.”
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who won’t be mistaken for Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert, leads an offense that totaled 331 yards in a Week One 36-31 win over the New York Giants.
He completed 36-of-49 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in the victory.
And Sutton complimented the Dallas signal caller on Thursday.
“They’ve got a quarterback that can make every throw, does a great job,” Sutton said.
Meanwhile, Romo’s touchdown passes against the Giants went to tight end Jason Witten, who enjoys tremendous chemistry with Romo. Witten finished the game with eight catches for 70 yards to go with his scores.
“Jason Witten has been a staple there,” Sutton said. “I think without question he’s certainly a guy Romo trusts and counts on in real critical situations, had 100-plus catches a year ago.”
Sutton added Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is “a handful for everybody” and also had praise for Dallas’ wide receiver corps.
One of the Cowboys receivers the Chiefs need to remain mindful of is Miles Austin.
The last time the Cowboys visited Arrowhead Stadium in October 2009, Austin torched the Chiefs for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches during a 26-20 overtime win.
Sutton is respectful of what the Cowboys bring to the table.
Moreover, he knows his defense needs to play at a high level on Sunday.
“They’re just really good football team that’s going to demand that we play really well,” he said. “You can’t let down at all because they can attack you in a lot of different areas.”
Still, another factor along with a defense performing well that could play a role in disrupting the Cowboys offense is crowd noise.
Chiefs offensive lineman Donald Stephenson, a local product of Blue Springs, Mo., is very familiar with how loud it can get at Arrowhead Stadium.
“When it’s at its peak, it’s something special,” Stephenson said. “When fans are into it, it’s real hard to play here. Hopefully it’s like that Sunday. I have a feeling it will be.”
Notes: Running back Jamaal Charles (quad) looked good in drills during the afternoon practice session open to the media … The Chiefs announced in the morning that defensive back Dunta Robinson is still excused from practice.
