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NFL power rankings: Where do Chiefs check in?

By Matt Verderame

Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Daniel Sorensen (49) is congratulated by cornerback Steven Nelson (20) after intercepting a pass during the second half against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Daniel Sorensen (49) is congratulated by cornerback Steven Nelson (20) after intercepting a pass during the second half against the New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL power rankings for Week 6 are in, and we look at where the Kansas City Chiefs rank.

The Chiefs are back at it this week, facing off against an age-old rival in the Oakland Raiders. After the whipping Kansas City took against the Pittsburgh Steelers the last time we saw this team, one would imagine it is highliy motivated to prove that game as a fluke.

For Andy Reid, the key is to get the running game much more involved. Oakland has struggled mightily on defense, ranking dead last in yards allowed. The Chiefs need to be smart and pound away at this unit, using up clock. At this point, Alex Smith has thrown the ball enough to be on pace for the fourth-highest attempt total in NFL history. That can’t happen.

Kansas City has been bad to this point in the season, and yet sits 2-2 and only 1.5 games back of the AFC West lead. The Chiefs will suddenly be in great position if they beat the Raiders, getting to 3-2 with the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars on tap.

However, this game won’t be easy. While Oakland has an atrocious defense, the offense is prolific. Derek Carr has 11 touchdown passes to two interceptions, while Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper are both playing like legitimate top targets.

So where do people have the Chiefs ranked this week? Let’s look…

FanSided: 12

"Following an off week, Andy Reid’s club travels to the Bay Area and face a Raiders’ team that they have beaten in three straight and five of the last clubs’ last six meetings between the clubs. The Chiefs are just 3-3 in their last six road trips in this series but did win a year ago at Oakland in Week 13 (34-20)."

Pro Football Talk: 15

"Andy Reid takes his excellent post-bye record to Oakland for a revival of one of the great rivalries in the NFL."

NFL.com: 17

"What an awful time last week was for a bye. Could you imagine? You have a cruddy day at work, where you fail to deliver on time — wouldn’t that make your ensuing vacation to Legoland kind of suck? That stuff would sit with you, whether you had a margarita (no salt) in your hand or not. Thinking the Chiefs’ secondary will be supremely motivated Sunday in Oakland. In other news, I found myself at the premier of E!’s “Catching Kelce,” Travis’ new dating show, in Los Angeles. More talent on that deal than in the Chiefs’ secondary. Wait a minute: That’s not what I meant to say. It was … interesting. Kelce owns a sweet plaid suit straight out of 1973, man. Seriously."

ESPN: 15

"Andy Reid’s playcalling has always been a topic of discussion, and it should remain so this season. The Chiefs and Jaguars have dropped back to pass at the highest rate (both 70.9 percent) this season. Does Reid really want QB Alex Smith to get into a shootout with Derek Carr this week?"

SB Nation: 13

Yahoo: 11

Jamaal Charles is still a mystery at this point. We have no idea how explosive Charles will be after the bye, or what his role will be. Nothing against Spencer Ware, who has played well, but hopefully Charles can regain his old form. There aren’t many players in the NFL who are more exciting.

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