The Kansas City Chiefs moved up the NFL power rankings after beating the Oakland Raiders in primetime last Thursday. It’s about time.
Kansas City has been getting plenty of respect from most of the media throughout the last two months. Of course, ESPN has continuously moved the Chiefs up and down, even after wins, because it’s a laughable excuse for power rankings. Yet, I digress.
Alex Smith and Co. have now won eight of their last nine, including a season sweep of the Oakland Raiders. That stretch also includes wins on the road over the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.
So where does the media put Kansas City in the power rankings this week? Let’s look:
FanSided – 3
"The Chiefs just keep winning. Kansas City is 4-0 in the league’s toughest division and currently holds the AFC’s second seed."
NFL.com – 3
"Obviously an important win over the Raiders in terms of the AFC West race. But don’t sleep on home-field advantage for these guys. Anything can happen over these last three weeks, including the Patriots losing in Denver and Miami. Likely? Perhaps not. But those are two cities in which Bill Belichick has had trouble over the years. The Chiefs will get that No. 2 seed if they win out. Man oh man is that easier to do with Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Dee Ford playing together. (Maybe I should have said man on man.)"
Yahoo Sports – 3
"Between Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs have two dangerous playmakers in the passing game. Jeremy Maclin, once he’s all the way back from a groin injury, is pretty good at moving the chains. The Chiefs are becoming as balanced a team as we have in this crazy NFL season."
Washington Post – 2
"Speedy rookie WR Tyreek Hill is a major difference-maker. His two TDs against the Raiders, one on a catch and one via a punt return, accounted for most of the Kansas City offense. He is a big-play threat that the Chiefs have not had in previous seasons, and his presence is a major reason that they cannot be discounted in the suddenly wide-open chase for AFC supremacy."
CBS Sports – 3
"Are you a believer? It might be time for that. They are playing well."
ESPN – 3
"The Chiefs are now 20-3 since Week 7 of last season, best in the NFL. The Chiefs have a plus-27 turnover margin in that time. Next closest? The Raiders at plus-16. The Chiefs look to keep on rolling against the Titans in Week 15."