Thanks to the defense, Chiefs get lots of love in the latest NFL power rankings
The Chiefs’ defense had its best performance of the season, and it was noted by nearly everyone who compiles an NFL power rankings.
But it wasn’t enough to supplant the Rams as No. 1 in those rankings.
Still, no other team jumped over the Chiefs, who stayed at No. 2 in all of the national rankings.
Here is where they stand:
Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports had the Chiefs No. 2 behind the Rams. He wrote: “The Chiefs don’t need the 2000 Ravens defense to show up, considering how good Kansas City’s offense is. But if the defense can make a few big plays each week like it did Sunday? The Chiefs go to another level.”
ESPN had the Chiefs at No. 2 again behind the Rams. Joey Koontz wrote: “The Chiefs are the fifth team to enter a road game at the Patriots with a record of 5-0 or better since Bill Belichick became head coach in 2000. Two of the previous four such teams lost.”
Mark Maske of the Washington Post kept the Chiefs second. He wrote: “Patrick Mahomes finally threw an interception this season (and then another) but the Chiefs offense just kept going against Jacksonville’s celebrated defense.”
The Chiefs remained second behind the Rams in USA Today’s rankings. Nate Davis wrote: “Their next three opponents have combined for nine wins, so this KC Masterpiece will be challenged to ride this undefeated wave much longer.”
SB Nation had the Chiefs at No. 2 behind the Rams. Rebecca Toback wrote: “At No. 2 is the Chiefs, who beat the Jaguars in a game in which the Kansas City defense finally stepped up. If that continues, the Chiefs are going to be an even scarier team than we thought.”
Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback’s group ranking gave the Rams a slight edge (251 points to 249 points) over the Chiefs. It wrote: “The Chiefs are the best team in the AFC, a fact nobody will be able to dispute if they knock off Jacksonville and New England in consecutive weeks.”
The Sporting News ranking had the Chiefs second again behind the Rams. Vinnie Iyer wrote: “Patrick Mahomes finally threw a couple interceptions to look normal against Sacksonville. But the Chiefs’ defense also suddenly showed up to make sure Blake Bortles couldn’t win the duel.”
The Chiefs stayed at No. 2 behind the Rams in Bleacher Report’s rankings. It wrote: “The Chiefs have now routed two of the AFC’s Super Bowl front-runners entering the season — first the Steelers and now the Jags.
“One more test remains — a final hurdle before the Chiefs stake an irrefutable claim as the AFC’s best team: a trip to Gillette Stadium next week to battle the Patriots.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2018 at 10:00 AM.