NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs remain in NFL’s top 4 despite defensive changes
By Matt Conner
ESPN has posted their latest round of NFL Power Rankings, calling it a post-free agency edition, and the Kansas City Chiefs are ranked No. 4 overall.
Now that the dust has settled on the frenzy of the free agency season, ESPN has released their latest round of NFL Power Rankings. It’s a closer look at the competitive pecking order as teams have made some of their biggest offseason moves. Surprisingly, the Chiefs are looking much better than expected—at least for some of us—at No. 4 overall.
The Chiefs storyline is no secret at this point. The team wields the league’s best offense, even minus Kareem Hunt, and Patrick Mahomes will only get better with experience after an MVP season. Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and company are all back for another run, and their offense is Super Bowl ready as is.
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Unfortunately, the team’s defense has been its anchor for the last two seasons, ruining any postseason goals with pitiful performances at critical times. The Chiefs were a single play away from the Super Bowl last season, yet even then, the defense looked downright awful trying to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots in overtime in the AFC Championship game.
In response the Chiefs fired Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator and hired Steve Spagnuolo. Not only did they tip over the top domino, but they’ve allowed plenty others to fall in response including longtime leaders like Eric Berry and Justin Houston. Dee Ford was traded to the Niners and Steven Nelson walked in free agency.
Imports include Emmanuel Ogbah and Alex Okafor up front. Damien Wilson joins the Chiefs linebacking corps after a few years in Dallas, and Tyrann Mathieu is the new heavy hitter in the secondary. Bashaud Breeland was also signed to a one-year deal to bolster the pass defense.
Altogether, it’s a completely unknown unit with a significantly lower ceiling than before, but perhaps a higher floor. The Chiefs certainly hope so as they chase postseason glory again, and it seems as if ESPN’s analysts are believers that the changes haven’t done anything to the Chiefs chances for a Super Bowl nod.