Chiefs Are #6 in ESPN Power Rankings But #2 In the AFC
By Jason Seibel
Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) is congratulated by fullback Anthony Sherman (42) after scoring a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 56-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Are the Kansas City Chiefs the second best team in the AFC? That’s what this week’s power rankings would have you think. Even though the Chiefs are currently sitting at the #6 spot overall on the rankings, the only AFC team that is ahead of them is the Denver Broncos who are #2. Thus, according to the talking heads at ESPN, the Chiefs must be the second best team in the AFC.
Here are the top 10 teams in the current version of the ESPN Power Rankings.
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Denver Broncos
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. Carolina Panthers
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Kansas City Chiefs
7. New England Patriots
8. Arizona Cardinals
9. Cincinatti Bengals
10. Indianapolis Colts
Although power rankings are derived from a bunch of sportswriters who vote on the teams every week and aren’t the “end all be all” in the power structure of a sporting league, there is still some validity to the claims. They ebb and flow based on what the teams who make up the list are doing on the field, or the court or the ice. The fact that the Chiefs have impressed enough to be considered the second best team in the entire conference should go a long way for this franchise.
Of course, the proof is in the pudding, as they say. If the Chiefs really want to get the respect most fans feel they’ve earned but don’t receive, they’ll have to make some noise. Putting up 45 against the Washington Redskins and 56 against the Oakland Raiders is one thing, but the Chiefs need to not only win out, but make some noise in the playoffs to truly be considered a force.
After all, once the regular season is over and the playoff bracket is announced, that’s truly the only power rankings that matter.