Chiefs’ record is worse than 2024, but they’re actually better in 7 key stats
The moment wasn’t lost on Broncos kicker Wil Lutz.
Lutz made a 35-yard field goal as time expired Sunday to beat the Chiefs 22-19 in Denver. It was 371 days after Lutz’s field-goal attempt that would have beaten the Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium was blocked by Leo Chenal.
That, coincidentally, also was a 35-yard attempt.
“When I looked down and saw we were on the line again, making it a 35-yard field goal, I was kind of like, ‘Shoot, here we are,’” Lutz told The Athletic on Sunday.
A year ago, the Chiefs blocked the kick. This season, the Chiefs left the field having been defeated.
It’s been a vexing season for the Chiefs, who are 0-5 in one-score games after going 11-0 in 2024 in that category. That team had a 15-2 regular-season record.
This season, the Chiefs are 5-5, and at first blush it would seem they are playing worse. But a closer look shows the Chiefs have played better, despite their record.
Here are seven statistics in which this season’s Chiefs (through 10 games) are better than how last year’s Super Bowl team performed.
| Category | 2024 | 2025 |
| Scoring offense per game | 22.6 | 25.4 |
| Scoring defense per game | 19.2 | 18.1 |
| Passing yards per game | 222.4 | 248.9 |
| Red zone TD percentage | 53.8% | 65.9% |
| 4th down conversion | 70.6% | 76.2% |
| Opp. 3rd down conversion | 43.3% | 41.6% |
| Offensive EPA* | 0.06 | 0.14 |
*Expected points added per play from SumerSports.com; other stats via Pro Football Reference
That 0.14 Offensive EPA is third in the NFL behind the Colts and Bills. The Chiefs ranked 11th in that category in 2024, which was one of the best in franchise history.
Like those other six statistics, it’s an improvement over a season ago for the Chiefs, but unfortunately for them, that hasn’t been reflected in their win-loss record.
This story was originally published November 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM.
