Head Coach Mike Macdonald On The 20-3 Win vs. Chiefs On Sunday Night Football

Mike Macdonald (0:00)

All right.

Man, I'm really proud of our team. The message this week really was like, trying to double down on 12 is one, trying to stack plays, finding plays, all three phases picking each other up, which I think we really, the guys did a great job of just doubling down on our core philosophy, and it was a great environment. So shout out to the 12s. I'm just really proud of our team to stand steadfast in some adversity, and that's what we do. We find solutions, we move forward and have each other's backs, and it was great to see that come to light today. So with that said, I mean, there's so much more opportunity for us to improve, and that was just exciting. It's just still within our control, just some procedure things, red zone, I mean, you guys know the things, which is great, it's a great opportunity for us to move forward and get better. So, but I'm really proud of our team, just really proud of the attitude, the people being great teammates, having each other's backs, pushing each other, and I think we got better. So it's a great opportunity, but there's a sense of urgency now to really take another step as a football team. So it'll be fun next couple of days and we'll get to work on Chicago.

SPEAKER_2 (1:20)

Pat Chiefs offense, Andy, Pat Holmes, Ken doing what he's doing this year, all of them do a single field goal. What can you say about the way your defense played?

Mike Macdonald (1:30)

Our guys played great, man. They're just a bunch of warriors. We had some guys that were banged up that played through some things that went into the game. So you watch really the effort of our football team, but really over the last few weeks, the effort that they've played with, the physicality, going into the short week playing the way they did against Denver and then coming back and putting themselves in position to play the way they did today. I just, I mean, how do you not just tip your cap to those guys?

So we love our group. We have a great group. And I think to a man, if you ask them, they're proud of the effort, but they also know that maybe we could be better. So it really starts, and there are some things that put us in a couple tough spots that they build me out of today. So that was 12 is 1 right there, and that was pretty cool.

SPEAKER_3 (2:15)

When you say that they're great teammates, what were you thinking about when you said that?

Mike Macdonald (2:20)

Well, I just think, you know, there's, you know, all the conversation we had throughout the week of where we wanted to get better. And really everybody's just been steadfast in having each other's backs, trusting the people in the operation, and knowing that, you know, we're gonna take a step as a team, but you lose, you know, I don't know, what was it, three or four or something?

You know, there's probably as much noise as they've heard in a while. So, you know, but it didn't affect them, and it didn't really affect our operation, which, you know, as a coach, and just like understanding their process and the spirit of the team throughout the week, you're just really proud of that.

SPEAKER_4 (2:55)

Why didn't you also get to walk your guard to this final carryout?

Mike Macdonald (2:58)

Yeah, how about that? It's pretty cool.

SPEAKER_2 (3:01)

You know, I did it on the fourth and one sneak.

Mike Macdonald (3:05)

Yeah, we didn't want to put the ball in jeopardy there on the fourth down, so we were gonna go for it regardless, but inside a yard, we felt like, give it to AJ.

SPEAKER_4 (3:14)

Mike, what was your down conversion that made you stay on the field?

SPEAKER_5 (3:17)

How big was that for your offense today?

Mike Macdonald (3:19)

Yeah, third down's been a point of emphasis over the last few weeks, especially this week, and I think defense, I think they're good stats. I think we can be better at something operationally in how we're rushing offensively. I'm really proud of the process that we've had. Really, the guys went to work, and it was a great team effort. Brian led the charge, and I thought we came up some really great ideas and solutions. And then, with Rashid going down, being able to evolve and pivot and get to some other answers as the game started to clear. So some really good stuff by our offensive staff.

SPEAKER_6 (3:54)

Several of those third downs weren't exactly short yardage either. There was some long which you had to do down to.