It feels like a lifetime ago when the Chiefs were looking like they might miss the playoffs. On the heels of a six-game winning streak, and one Thursday Night Football win away from a comfortable lead in the AFC West, everyone and their mothers are back on the Chiefs bandwagon. Here's what the Power Rankings are saying this week:
ESPN -- #4
It's been an uneven season for the Chiefs on both sides of the ball, so it's difficult to put their rankings into perspective. Other than their two recent games against the Raiders, it's been a long time since the offense felt like it was top 3 in the league. At the same time, it feels like the defense, which has allowed 12 points per game over the past six, is better than middle of the pack. After a win over Las Vegas in which they were dominant on offense and defense, the Chiefs appear to be in a good place for the stretch run.
NFL.com -- #4
It's been a season of false starts for the offense, but maybe this will be the impetus for a great rise. The Chiefs reeled off 35 unanswered points in the first half against the Raiders en route to a 48-9 win, a necessary laugher with a huge divisional showdown on tap against the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
CBS Sports -- #5
They probably wish they could play the Raiders every week seeing how they dominated them in both games. They seem to be getting it going at the right time.
Bleacher Report -- #1
The Chiefs dominated the Raiders in just about every way a game can be dominated. Kansas City's 372 yards of offense wasn't overly impressive, but the team was lethally efficient, converting nine of 13 third downs. Defensively, Kansas City wreaked havoc, allowing just 263 yards of offense and forcing five turnovers.
Yahoo! Sports -- #5
The Chiefs outscored the Raiders 89-23 this season. Was Sunday's blowout win over the Raiders the case of an advantageous matchup for Kansas City, or a sign that they're ready to take off? We'll know more after Thursday when they face the Chargers. With a win, the Chiefs will be nearly impossible to catch in the division.
Sports Illustrated -- #2
The Chiefs’ offense is roaring back to life and their defense has regained something of a respectable edge. Kansas City has held its opponents to 10 points or fewer in all but one week dating back to Nov. 7. Emerging out of the competitive slog that was the AFC West, the Chiefs now have enough breathing room to dig out the root causes of their early-season dysfunction and find a way to diversify in time for the playoffs.
USA Today -- #4
Extraordinary defensive play has been the impetus for Kansas City's six-game burst. But the offense may be coming around, too, K.C. managing a season-high 48 points Sunday, gaining its most yards on the ground (132) in 10 weeks while posting just the third turnover-free effort of the season.
Sporting News -- #4
The Chiefs aren't the No. 1 seed in the AFC but everyone can sense they're the team to beat again. They crushed the Raiders at home after bringing the Broncos down hard there the week before. The defense is playing lights out, cleaning up its old issues vs. the run and also smacking around passing games. Patrick Mahomes and the offense also decided to get more diverse and dangerous in Week 14.
