Kansas City's defense recorded six touchdowns in 2013, marking the third-best single-season total in franchise history for most defensive touchdowns. Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton's guys totaled five 'pick-six' returns and one fumble recovery that was returned for a score. Below is a chronological look at the Top 10 defensive plays made by the Chiefs in '13.
1) Tamba's 'Pick-Six' vs Jacksonville in Week 1
The Chiefs first game of the year was a dominant performance, topping the Jaguars 28-2. The Chiefs were leading 21-2 in the fourth quarter, when Pro Bowl LB Tamba Hali intercepted Jags QB Blaine Gabbert, returning it 10 yards for the score. It was Hali's second-career interception, and his first interception return for a touchdown.
2) Ron Parker's Big Day vs Dallas in Week 2
The Chiefs first home game of 2013 included a breakout game for DB Ron Parker, who showcased his speed and versatility, sacking Cowboys QB Tony Romo, stripping the ball and recovering it on the Dallas 35-yard line. It was Parker's first-career sack and strip, as well as his first NFL fumble recovery, which helped preserve the team's 17-16 win.
3) Eric Berry's "Pick-Six" in the City of Brotherly Love
Chiefs Pro Bowl S Eric Berry did his part to make sure head coach Andy Reid left Philadelphia a winner in Week 3. Berry made his presence felt early in the game, intercepting a pass by Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, returning it 38 yards for the score. It was Berry's sixth-career INT and marked his second-career 'pick-six'. Chiefs Pro Bowl LB Derrick Johnson helped Berry's score happen, recording his 52nd-career pass defensed, during the play.
4) Justin Houston's QB Sack Party in Week 3
It wasn't just one play, but a series of them, by Chiefs Pro Bowl LB Justin Houston, who had a career night in Philly, sacking QB Michael Vick for a single-game career high 3.5 sacks (-24.0 yards) in the game. During the team's 26-16 win, Houston forced one fumble and recovered two; he also added seven tackles (six solo), including four for loss, four QB pressures and three passes defensed in the game.
5) Quintin Demps Helps the Chiefs Close Out the Titans - Week 5
The Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans was a back-and-forth contest. In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were leading 20-17, when rookie CB Marcus Cooper intercepted Titans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's pass attempt to WR Nate Washington. The turnover led to a Chiefs field goal by K Ryan Succop, pushing the lead to 23-17. Tennessee still only needed one TD to take the lead, but Chiefs S Quintin Demps had other plans, recording his second interception in as many weeks, picking off Fitzpatrick, returning it 35 yards. Chiefs Pro Bowl CB Brandon Flowers recorded a team-high eight tackles (six solo) and two passes defensed in the game, including the one tipped pass that led to the INT by Demps. The Chiefs prevailed, winning 26-17.
6) Husain Abdullah Puts an Exclamation Point on Win vs Oakland in Week 6
There's nothing quite like Raider Week. Chiefs S Husain Abdullah put his stamp on a big win against the division rival, intercepting Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor, returning it 44 yards for the score. The crowd-pleasing play marked Abdullah's fifth-career INT and his first 'pick-six', which gave the Chiefs a 24-7 victory.
7) Hali and "DJ" Save the Best for Last vs the Texans
The old saying is 'It's not how you start but how you finish that counts' and the late heroics by the Chiefs defense preserved a 17-16 victory against the Texans in Week 7. Up 17-16, with 1:46 to play in the fourth quarter, Texans QB Case Keenum faced a second-and-10, from the Houston 10-yard line, when Tamba Hali chased Keenum down from behind, sacking him, stripping the ball, which was recovered by Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson on Houston's two-yard-line, sealing the win.
8) Sean Smith's 100-Meter Dash in Buffalo
All the momentum was with the Buffalo Bills, who led the Chiefs, 10-3, in Week 9. Looking to go up by two scores, the Bills were on KC's one-yard line, when Chiefs CB Sean Smith moved the momentum meter in favor of Kansas City. Bills QB Jeff Tuel dropped back and attempted to hit WR Stevie Johnson, but instead Smith grabbed the pigskin and took it the distance, tying the game, following Ryan Succop's PAT. Smith's 'pick-six' tied the second-longest interception return for touchdown in franchise history. It was his second interception of the season and seventh of his career.
9) Tamba's 'Scoop-and-Score' Against the Bills
The Sean Smith 'pick-six' wasn't the only Top 10-worthy play in the game. Tied at 13-13, Chiefs LB Tamba Hali, celebrating his 30th birthday, recovered a WR T.J. Graham fumble and returned it 11 yards for the score. The play served as Hali's fifth-career fumble recovery and first fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. The Chiefs left Ralph Wilson Stadium with a 23-13 win.
10) Eric Berry's 'Pick-Six' in the "Black Hole"
All of the Chiefs trips to Oakland's "Black Hole" are magnified and the Week 15 game against the Silver and Black was no different. Eric Berry made the most of his day, intercepting two QB Matt McGloin passes, returning them for a combined 96 yards, marking his first-career multi-interception game. He returned the first interception 47 yards for a touchdown, the third 'pick-six' of his career. The Chiefs swept the season series with the Raiders, thanks to the 56-31 road win, for the first time since 2006.
Did I miss some plays that you think should be on the list? Tweet me (@KCChiefsReid) your favorite play from the 2013 Chiefs defense!
