Things looked bad after the Kansas City Chiefs’ 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. But after the team’s 30-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on “Sunday Night Football,” the outlook is improving. Every one of the power rankings we’re tracking has moved Kansas City up in their Week 7 lists.
Fair warning: a couple of them may have gone a little bit overboard.
Here’s this week’s sampling:
Patrick Mahomes looked more like Prime-Time Pat against the Lions, delivering TD drives in all four quarters and limiting his offensive missteps in a clean performance. Now the Chiefs are getting Rashee Rice back from suspension and finally will have a full complement of playmakers at their disposal. With home games against the Raiders and Commanders before the all-important Week 9 bout at Buffalo, it’s not hard to see the path back to prominence, even though the Chiefs have been streaky to this point. They should be 4-2 and could overtake the vulnerable Chargers and Broncos for AFC West supremacy. It won’t be a cakewalk, but Kansas City isn’t going anywhere.
Lesson learned: The offensive line is no longer an issue.
Much of the Chiefs’ offseason was about general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid fixing the offensive line, especially at left tackle. The Chiefs signed left tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency and selected rookie left tackle Josh Simmons in the draft. They also moved Kingsley Suamataia to left guard to replace Joe Thuney, who was traded to the Bears. Each player in the trio has performed well, making the offensive line a strength once again for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Fantasy focus: Patrick Mahomes
For all of Mahomes’ greatness, he hasn’t been a fantasy difference-maker in several years. It’s why his ADP was 55 this season. He’s back, though, and the Chiefs might be, too. Mahomes is the third-highest scorer in fantasy (24.46). The Chiefs have won three of four games, and, in that span, Mahomes has thrown for 1,069 yards, rushed for 100 and totaled 11 touchdowns (nine passing, two rushing) against one interception.
I think it’s dumb that fans are freaking out about the Chiefs having no penalties called against them on Sunday night. I can also think it’s dumb that the Chiefs had no penalties called against them on Sunday night. This, in conjunction with what happened in New Orleans, could be tinder for our next phase of referee outrage in 2025.
Editor’s Note: I think Orr is kinda-sorta trolling the Chiefs (and their fans) with this ranking. Here’s how he began this week’s column:
We’re starting to get to the point where the top spots become a little bit less fun. Chiefs purists not only mandate that everyone shake Patrick Mahomes’ hand after the game (and be grateful for the opportunity), but also that they be No. 1 (or close to it) each week when public discourse aligns with the fact that they’re just figuring it out and will still make the Super Bowl. But the upper tier still has some serious party crashing going on. Tampa Bay is currently weathering its attrition and still winning difficult games, while the Colts’ schedule doesn’t get wicked until much closer to Thanksgiving. So, for now, they’re allowed to party crash and bother the stalwarts.
Or maybe Orr thinks the Chiefs are about to roll over every team in their path — and he wants to be sure he can say, “I told you so!” So let’s remember: after their loss in Jacksonville, he ranked the Chiefs 12th.
That’s right: even though I usually think it’s dumb to “keep the receipts” for Internet predictions, I think Kansas City fans should put this one in a safe place.
They can still beat anyone.
That might have been a season-saving victory over the Lions. They’ll get receiver Rashee Rice back from suspension this week, which will really help the offense.
Kansas City hasn’t gone anywhere. The win over the Lions showed they’re still a good team, just one whose luck in close games has turned bad. With Rashee Rice coming back, it’s going to get only better. Not great news for those who hate the Chiefs.
The Chiefs are surging back up at the right time as their offense keeps looking more dangerous with each passing week, now with Rashee Rice ready to return. Patrick Mahomes can keep them red-hot for a while.
Talented, older teams six days removed from the banana peel against an upstart apparently respond with a crisp effort – four TDs, no penalties, no turnovers – against a fellow league power. And reinforcements are on the way now that WR Rashee Rice’s suspension has been served while LT Josh Simmons should return from his one-game absence.
I tried to tell you not to count the Chiefs out. They’re getting healthy and their offense is starting to click. Don’t be shocked if Patrick Mahomes & Co. get on a roll.
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