NFL Power Rankings: Kansas City Chiefs are top 5 despite Cowboys loss
By Matt Conner
The latest NFL power rankings are out over at ESPN, and the Kansas City Chiefs remain a top 5 team in the league despite losing 3 of their last 4.
It shows how respected the Kansas City Chiefs were just one month ago to see where they are currently situated. The Chiefs have lost three of their last four games, the last one to the Dallas Cowboys by 11 points in a game that was rarely out of Dallas’s control, and yet they remain a top five team in the league, per ESPN’s latest NFL power rankings.
"The Chiefs are 1-3 in their past four games after a 5-0 start. With Kareem Hunt slowing down (47.8 rushing yards per game over the past four), Alex Smith will need to continue making big plays."
During the first five weeks of the season, the Chiefs continued to win again and again, defeating even the toughest opponents left and right, and it was clear that there were two tiers in the NFL: Kansas City and then everyone else. Wins over the New England Patriots (on the road) and Philadelphia Eagles will do that for a team.
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Then came the slide. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home in the same fashion as last January’s frustrating loss in the postseason. The Oakland Raiders then bested the Chiefs in a controversial shootout to give Andy Reid’s team two consecutive losses. A gifted win from the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead followed suit to stop the bleeding, but the Cowboys provided the next wound on Sunday. That’s three losses in four games and four overall average-to-poor performances from K.C. in that stretch.
It’s likely a stretch that the Chiefs belong in the top five after the last few games but a closer look at their competition reveals the fact that everyone in the NFL has a few warts. The Minnesota Vikings are ranked above the Chiefs at No. 4, but let’s be honest: no one is afraid of Case Keenum. No one. The Eagles are at No. 1, but the Chiefs already beat them and it wasn’t as close as the final score made it look.
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The Chiefs have to hope that a week off with the bye will allow them to make significant adjustments on both sides and gain some healthy personnel back on the field. If so, they can come out swinging at the competition and hopefully finish on top when the rankings really matter.