After weeks of climbing the power rankings, the Kansas City Chiefs experienced little movement after dealing the Washington Commanders a 28-7 loss on “Monday Night Football.” Many rankings held firm from Week 8 to Week 9, looking forward to making a stronger judgment after the very significant game against the Buffalo Bills this weekend.
Here’s this week’s sampling:
(Same ranking last week)
After a funky start, with two Patrick Mahomes interceptions (one off Travis Kelce’s hands), the Chiefs began to flex on the Commanders. Mahomes hit three different players with TD passes on Kansas City’s first three possessions of the second half, finally putting Washington away. Mahomes took a few hits, but he and the Chiefs’ offense look to be in pretty great shape prior to this Sunday’s huge showdown in Buffalo, assuming Isiah Pacheco’s injury isn’t too serious. You can almost throw out the befores and afters when the Bills and Chiefs meet, but for what it’s worth, the Kansas City defense has hit a new tier since the Jaguars loss in Week 5, allowing 24 points total to the Lions, Raiders and Commanders. Washington moved the ball early, but K.C. got the key stops it needed.
— Eric Edholm
ESPN: 6
(Up from 7)
Best offseason addition: LT Josh Simmons
Although Simmons has been away from the team since Oct. 12 because of a family situation, the first-round pick has shown he can be the Chiefs’ franchise left tackle for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In five games, Simmons was exceptional in pass protection, allowing the Chiefs’ offense to be functional. When he returns, he could develop into a Pro Bowler. A qualified second candidate is left tackle Jaylon Moore, a four-year veteran who has played well in Simmons’ absence.
— Nate Taylor
The Athletic: 4
(Same ranking last week)
The NFL’s hardest team to kill has now won five of its last six games. Patrick Mahomes was solid, and Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice both had big nights in the passing game on Monday. Kansas City has scored at least 28 points in each of its last three games, and over that stretch, the Chiefs lead the NFL in margin of victory at plus-65.
— Josh Kendall
Sports Illustrated: 1
(Same ranking last week)
Is it strange that I am far more in awe of the 4–3 Chiefs than the 7–0 Chiefs at the same point last season?
— Conor Orr
Pro Football Talk: 8
(Same ranking last week)
A fourth straight Super Bowl appearance suddenly seems a lot more plausible.
— Mike Florio
(Same ranking last week)
They started slowly against the Commanders, but they got it going in the second half. Now comes a big one with the Bills.
— Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports: 1
(Same ranking last week)
The Chiefs ran the ball pretty well in the second half Monday, which is one of the few missing pieces for them this season. They rushed for 148 yards on 4.9 yards per carry. If that is a sign of an awakening, the Chiefs get even tougher to beat.
— Frank Schwab
The Sporting News: 3
(Up from 4)
The Chiefs are the current favorites to win Super Bowl 60 despite having three losses through Week 8 and just getting back above .500. Everyone can see Patrick Mahomes is a quarterback possessed and it’s not fair they still have a top defense, too. The Bills present a great next litmus test after walkovers vs. the Raiders and Commanders.
— Vinnie Iyer
(Same ranking last week)
Rekindled TE Travis Kelce is a microcosm for a rekindled dynasty, one that’s won five of six heading into the teeth of its schedule − starting Sunday at Buffalo.
— Nate Davis
FOX Sports: 8
(Up from 8)
A top-five defense. A top-five offense. Winners of three straight now and winners of five of their past six. A win in Buffalo next Sunday and they might end up real close to the top of this list.
— Ralph Vacchiano
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