Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is coming off the best game of his season – one in which he had two sacks. It was a fine performance that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

When defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was asked about his star pass rusher’s performance with multiple sacks, he responded that Jones’ dominant skills extend beyond himself and help everyone else on defense.

“I don’t know what the amounts are,” Spagnuolo replied. “All I know is that he affects the game for us. I think he impacts every player around him, whether it’s a linebacker getting in behind him, whether it’s a pass rushing with him, whether it’s the protections we see because of Chris .”

The Chiefs expect Jones to get plenty of attention when Kansas City plays the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

“I think they do a really good job of deciding and how they want to protect,” Spagnuolo explained. “They will have a plan for Chris and the things we do. We’ve just got to try to figure it out quick enough and hopefully get him downrange.”

The key to this is to ensure that the opposing team stays behind the posts.

“Last week we were lucky because I think we got a couple of negative plays on first and second down that got us into some longer (third downs) and we were able to take advantage of that.”

Spagnuolo went on to say that the team is doing its best to make the most of Jones’ attention from opposing offensive lines.

“We have to continue to try and take advantage of that and hopefully let him play the way he does. It’s definitely going to help us – I mean, we’re obviously a better football team when Chris plays like that, not just sacks but what he did in the run game.”

To his credit, Jones says he’s not happy with how he and the rest of the defense have performed so far – and that they still have room for growth.

“(There are) many areas where we can improve. But you know, (we) are still getting better.”