Top 10 seasons in Kansas City Chiefs history

2. Kansas City Chiefs, 2018, Mahomes’ Magic

I almost put this season as number one on the list, if nothing else because of how far beyond all expectations things went with Patrick Mahomes under center. Ultimately, I could not justify putting it ahead of a Super Bowl ring, no matter how close they came.

Mahomes won the team’s first ever NFL MVP award, became only the third quarterback ever to throw for 5000 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2018. He made everyone on the team better and led Andy Reid’s offense with precision and guts. Tyreek Hill became one of the top three receivers in football. Whomever was carrying the ball of the Chiefs (Kareem Hunt then Damien Williams) both played like Pro Bowlers. Travis Kelce was the best tight end in football. The offense was one of the top five in league history.

Everything that the offense was, the defense was the exact opposite. I suspect no one reading this article needs a retread of how bad they were, but a relatively brief synopsis includes being in the bottom five of nearly every statistical category tracked anywhere. Despite the league’s number one pass rush in total sacks, pretty much everything else was abysmal.

So it came as no surprise when the Chiefs found themselves in a position to win the AFC Championship game. What was surprising was how the best defensive player on the team choked it away (see link above). And then how bad the defense was to allow three third and long conversations by a 40 year old quarterback and a Hall of Fame tight end who was a shell of himself.

Patrick Mahomes will get more opportunities. One can only hope that he gets some defensive help next time.