After a very rocky 3-4 start to the 2021 season, Kansas City has managed to come out with two straight victories. It wasn't pretty but the Chiefs took care of business against the Giants on MNF and then snuck by the Packers without the 2020 MVP Aaron Rodgers. With that being said, the Reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs are 5-4 and currently sitting in 3rd place in the competitive AFC West. They are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, but can they bounce back and be the dominant team we have come to know the past few seasons?
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| (AP Photo/ Lynne Sladky) |
I think they can. Kansas City's offense has been lackluster to say the least the last few weeks averaging just 12 points in their last three outings. Since Patrick Mahomes has been under center for KC this is not something we are accustomed to seeing. The Chiefs also don't have a very favorable schedule coming up, playing an AFC West rival in 4 of the next 5 games with the 6-2 Cowboys as the additional opponent. Despite the fact things may be looking a little gloomy in Kansas City, I think there is definitely still hope.
Next week they have the Las Vegas Raiders on SNF. This will be a big test for them considering Vegas is 2-1 since Jon Gruden resigned as head coach. Also, Mahomes is 5-1 against the Raiders in his career and always seems to put up big numbers against them, especially in primetime. I think that the Chiefs find a way, even if it is low scoring, to beat the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Following the game in Vegas, the Chiefs are back home against Dallas, whose defense let up 30 points to Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos. Dallas's defense has created a lot of turnovers, but they haven't been able to stop big plays, with the deep ball being a particularly weak spot. Lucky for the Chiefs they have the Fastest Player in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and a Quarterback who can throw the ball 70 yards and take the top off a defense at any moment. I think this is a perfect opportunity for the Chiefs to gain momentum for a playoff push.
The way I see it, the Chiefs can take back some of that magic in these two games and start to play like the 2020 Chiefs again. But another issue is their defense. There defense has been one of the worst not only in the league, but of all time. Earlier in the season they were letting up an average od 7.1 yards per play which is the worst mark in the history of the league. But the currently 26th ranked defense does have some help of the way. They recently traded for former Steeler and Charger, Melvin Ingram III. The 2012 first rounder is an excellent pass rusher and will be huge boost to a unit that lacks such a force at outside linebacker. With new additions to the defense and the possibility of a new spark in this offense, I believe Patrick Mahomes has what it takes to bring the Chiefs back to the playoffs and maybe even back to the Super Bowl.
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| Gail Burton/Associated Press |
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