The Chiefs will need controlled, disciplined aggression to stop Alvin Kamara

Part of the reason the Kansas City Chiefs have remained undefeated through four weeks of the NFL season has been their ability to stop the run. The Chiefs' defense has allowed just 57 rushing yards per game to opposing running backs.

Speaking on Thursday — fresh from his pre-game interview with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman before the team's "Monday Night Football" matchup against the New Orleans Saints — defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo reflected on his unit's 2024 success against the run.

"Every game is different, right? So you hope that continues," he told Kansas City reporters. "But I think the guys are playing like that; I think the chemistry — and being locked in step — is really important. I just got asked a similar question by Joe — and I do think the fact that our linebackers play aggressively downhill helps us, too; I think it helps the linemen in front of them."

But recalling a pass that Los Angeles Chargers' quarterback Justin Herbert made to tight end Will Dissly in the opening drive of Kansas City's 17-10 victory in Week 4, Spagnuolo added a caveat.

"The thing that's kind of bit us a little bit [were] a couple of explosive passes here and there; it kind of [got] the offense going," he noted. "It's like we were doing pretty good — and then, Justin hit that slant to the slot there; thank God Bryan Cook ran him down.

"But you know, if we can eliminate those plays and keep playing run defense like that, then we can get in longer third downs and try to have some success in the first drive of the game."

Starting fast has been a point of emphasis for the Chiefs' defense — and yet, it's something the unit has struggled to do this season. In three of the first four games, Kansas City has surrendered an opening-drive touchdown to its opponent.

"Somewhere in there — in that first drive — we've got to get a third-down stop," acknowledged Spagnuolo. "You know: get them to third down. Get a third-down stop.

"I always felt like the first third down of the game that you're out there, [it's] important to get the stop. You want that to be on the third play — you don't want it to be on play five, six, seven or eight. If we could find a way to be better on third down early, it might lead to us getting off the field."

Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones agrees the defense needs to tighten up during the early part of each game.

"I think we missed a couple of tackles last week — early." he admitted. "[We can't be] giving up big plays. [We must be] eliminating our opponent from scoring at the beginning of the game. I think that's haunted us for the last two games."

On Monday, that will mean stopping the Saints' star running back Alvin Kamara — and Spagnuolo believes that will start with improving fundamentals.

"We always put [up] objectives," he noted. "But the No. 1 objective against these guys, I think, is tackling. Not just the running back, but the wideouts, too — because [of] the [yards-after-catch] and what they can do explosively.

"[But] he's always been a challenge. He's what we call a 'stretch to cutback player.' I just think when he decides to stick his foot in the ground and go like that, he's really difficult.

"If you're not disciplined technique-wise — really good on the back side, like when the play goes away from you — there are certain things you need to do. And [you must] expect [number] 41 to come back. And if you're not ready for that? I mean... you've seen it. You've seen what he's done."

The other challenge to stopping the run on Monday will be veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who has the intelligence to audible into advantageous situations.

"I think they're really good because they mix it up," said Spagnuolo of the New Orleans offense under Carr. "I've always had respect for Derek Carr and how he gets them out of a bad play and into a good one; I think that has a lot to do with it. He's [also] a very accurate quarterback. And when you're talking about a third-and-3 — or four or five or whatever — he's smart enough to say, "Hey, I'm just going to get the first down here.' I think that's why they're really good."

How the Chiefs parry and counterpunch against the New Orleans offense on Monday night will play a big part in their chance to reach the bye week as an undefeated team.