Chris Jones on Chiefs’ middle linebacker Nick Bolton: ‘He’s a dog’

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into Week 4 with a 3-0 record. Their latest win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 could have gone either way, but the Chiefs' defense came up big with a fourth-down stop.

Linebacker Nick Bolton read the play, shot through a gap, and made the tackle that sealed win. It was Bolton's seventh tackle that resulted in a negative EPA (Expected Points Added) — or defensive stop — of the game. That led all defenders between both teams.

Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo admired the moment by his middle linebacker during his press conference on Thursday.

"It was great to see Nick Bolton make that play," Spagnuolo reflected. "He gutted it out, his back was bothering him and he went back in."

That was maybe the most impressive part of the winning tackle: Bolton, who typically plays 100% of the defense's snaps, was sidelined for 10 snaps in Atlanta after appearing to have back pain. He refused to stay out of the game, and that doesn't get lost on his teammates.

"He's a dog," defensive tackle Chris Jones told reporters on Thursday. "We try not to bring him off the field, we try to make sure he's playing every play. He's our play caller, I think he's the pillar of our defense."

The Chiefs have experience playing without Bolton: last season, he missed eight starts due to injury. Linebacker Drue Tranquill filled in, leading to a three-year contract so stay in Kansas City this offseason. Spagnuolo sees the benefit of having that specific type of depth.

"Thank God that we have guys that can go in when Nick is not in there and still function the same way," Spagnuolo acknowledged. "I think that's huge, we all learned that last year when Drue had to take over. When you lose that guy in the middle, it's like losing a quarterback. Even if it's for three plays, if you don't have somebody that can go in there that everyone feels comfortable with, it can be tough."

The Chiefs' defense can survive with Bolton off the field, but it isn't as dominant — especially against the run. It's not a coincidence that this season, the Chiefs are shutting down opponents' rushing attack: number-one backs are averaging 2.7 yards per carry against Kansas City this season.

Like the last play against the Falcons, Bolton is the finisher on many of those stuffed rushes.

"He has such great football instincts," Spagnuolo described of Bolton. "He feels things. He studies the game, so he knows ahead of time when sometimes teams are going to do certain things. I thought he played great."

Bolton's impact on run defense extends to the red zone. The Chiefs rank sixth among NFL teams in EPA/rush allowed in the red zone (-0.29) this season . This aspect of defense is always the focus for Spagnuolo.

"The last thing you want to have happen in the red zone is let them run it in," Spags noted. "That's just how we feel... It happens because we play some good teams, but we try to make them throw it; hopefully, we can be sticky enough in coverage."

The one position the Chiefs seem to struggle to "stick" to is tight end. No NFL team has allowed more receptions (27) or yards (335) to opposing tight ends . In Week 3, Falcons' tight end Kyle Pitts made a 50-yard reception that preceded a touchdown run.

"They had the one big play so that's going to stick out," Spagnuolo remembered. "We thought we were going to get a little bit more pressure on that one. I probably should've had a better call, I made it tough on [Justin] Reid."

Those plays will happen, especially if the primary receivers can't get open. The Chiefs have allowed the fifth-fewest receiving yards to wide receivers this season .

"Good quarterbacks are going to find their safety-valve guys," Spagnuolo pointed out. "Sometimes, that's the result of the other guys are covering so well he gets it to the tight end."

"What we'd like to eliminate are explosive plays to the tight end; if we do that, I don't think it looks nearly as bad as it comes out right now."

That improvement will require better play from linebackers and safeties in space, and Bolton is included in that. However, Week 3 was a reminder of the foundation he set for the unit, mentally and physically. He read and attacked the Falcons' run game all evening, relenting through pain.

He truly was a "dog," and will continue leading the hunt for ball carriers in the backfield.