The Kansas City Chiefs are quickly becoming the NFL’s “Kardiac Kids.” Time and again this season, they’ve found themselves on the ropes, yet they’ve managed to come through in the clutch and secure victories. Whether it’s through timely offense, defense, or special teams, they’ve done it all. Just last week, they pulled off an incredible win against the Denver Broncos, a team that seemed poised for victory. The Broncos had a chance to win with a game-winning field goal, but the Chiefs blocked it, keeping their undefeated streak intact.
So, with all these close calls and dramatic finishes, the big question is: Are the Kansas City Chiefs for real?
On one hand, Patrick Mahomes isn’t having a statistically spectacular season by his usual standards. He’s thrown nine interceptions through nine games, which is uncharacteristic for him. While he’s thrown as many as 14 interceptions in a Super Bowl-winning year, he’s on pace to hit 17 this season—a significant increase. However, Mahomes doesn’t have his usual complement of elite weapons. With Travis Kelce now 37, the window on one of his most reliable targets is slowly closing. Injuries to key players like Rashee Rice and Isiah Pacheco haven’t helped either.
Despite all these challenges, Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid have managed to keep the Chiefs in every game. While some of the victories have come with a few favorable calls, the fact remains: the Chiefs are finding ways to win. Their ability to pull off close games is a testament to both Mahomes’ leadership and the coaching staff’s ability to adapt. But a big question is: how long can this “Kardiac Kids” formula last over the course of a full NFL season?
Through nine games, the Chiefs have scored 219 points, which ranks them 15th in the league which is pretty much middle of the pack. On defense, however, they’ve been elite, allowing only 174 points, which is the fourth-best in the NFL. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense has been a bright spot, but the question remains: can Kansas City rely on being average offensively and elite defensively to make a run at a third straight Super Bowl?
The competition in the AFC is fierce. The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and a surging Pittsburgh Steelers team all pose significant threats. And that’s just within the conference could the Chiefs handle teams like the Detroit Lions and a rematch with the Baltimore Ravens, who are both playing at an elite level right now? Looking ahead, the Chiefs’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. They still have a massive matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo this weekend, a game that will have major implications for playoff positioning. Buffalo, who currently sit at 8-2, have the third-best offense in the league, which could challenge the Chiefs’ defense like few teams have this season. After that, the Chiefs face four other potentially tough pre-playoff matchups in the likes of the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers, and a season-ending game on the road against the Denver Broncos, a division rival one that should have won in Arrowhead last Sunday if not for a terrific special teams play.
Maintaining this undefeated momentum is going to be incredibly difficult, especially with the caliber of teams left on their schedule. As of today, I still believe the Kansas City Chiefs are the real deal. But this week’s game in Buffalo will be their biggest test yet. Will Mahomes and Reid be able to dial up enough offense to keep pace with Buffalo’s high-powered attack? Or will the Bills finally hand the Chiefs their first loss of the season and break the dominance they have had over the NFL so far this season?
Only Time will Tell but the Chiefs’ ability to answer these questions could determine whether they’re truly Super Bowl contenders or just another team living on the edge with their luck running out.
1 Comment
Again, great writing. It kept me reading.