KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In Sunday’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Jones had a stat line that might be good for some other defensive linemen for an entire season. Jones had three sacks, an interception and forced a couple of fumbles as the Kansas City Chiefs won 27-20.

Yes, he was that good. Jones was recognized for his play by being named the AFC defensive player of the year.

Imagine the havoc Jones might have caused had he played a full game. Jones had arthroscopic knee surgery over the summer and missed much of training camp, so the Chiefs are working him back into the lineup slowly.

He didn’t start against the Eagles, that honor at his position going instead to Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Jones was in the game for only 32 of Philadelphia’s 72 offensive snaps.

Jones had a strong season for the Chiefs as a rookie and is showing no signs of a decline in his second NFL season. Indeed, he’s becoming an even more vital piece for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations.

“He had a big game,’’ linebacker Justin Houston said. “It was good. I hope and pray that he does that every week. We are going to need that every week, week in and week out, for us to be a good defense."