NFL power rankings: Chiefs are AFC’s best
The NFL power rankings are in and the fans of the Kansas City Chiefs should be very happy. Kansas City is on a 10-game winning streak and perhaps playing the best football of any team in the league. The Chiefs might be entering the AFC playoffs as a fifth seed, but the Chiefs are getting plenty of attention.
Kansas City is sitting at 11-5 and going to play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in the Wild Card round on Saturday. Houston is 9-7 and faced the Chiefs in Week 1, when Kansas City pounded them by a 27-20 final.
Throughout most of the season, the Chiefs have been playing epic defense. Kansas City has been without Justin Houston for most of the last six games, and yet the group has not skipped a beat. The secondary is dominating folks, led by the foursome of Ron Parker, Eric Berry, Marcus Peters and Sean Smith. The linebacking corps might be the best in football with Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Houston. All said, good luck to the opponents.
Here is how the national media is ranking Kansas City…
NFL.com – 4
"They might not be the 1969 Chiefs, but these Chiefs are heading into the postseason with more strength than a Kansas City team in a long, long time. Andy Reid’s 2013 group limped to the finish line. The 2010 team was led by Matt Cassel. In 2006, Damon Huard was the starting QB. The Dick Vermeil-led 2003 club couldn’t stop anybody. Today’s Chiefs are riding the NFL’s longest current winning streak at 10 games, and they could get the premier edge rusher in the game back on Saturday. # ChiefsKingdom"
The MMQB – 6
"Chiefs edge the Bengals for this spot, because I am unsure—as is the Queen City—about the Bengals’ quarterback situation Saturday night."
Sports Illustrated – 4
"Kansas City ranks higher here than it does in the AFC playoff field, so we’ll find out soon enough which system to trust. But at least heading into the wild-card round, the Chiefs have established themselves as a true Super Bowl threat, running off 10 in a row behind a playmaking defense and suddenly potent offense. Oh, and they are also planning to get back stud linebacker Justin Houston next week, following four games out of the lineup with a knee injury."
USA Today – 6
"Alex Smith’s career passer rating in 11 seasons is 84.5. However, in three playoff starts, it jumps to 108.6."
SB Nation – 3
"On the back of a very strong finish in which they won their final 10 games, the Chiefs come in third on our list, tops among the AFC field despite their No. 5 seeding. That’s what a 1-5 start will buy you, I guess."