NFL power rankings, Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs sit on verge of Top 10

Looking at an overview of various NFL power rankings from around the interwebs, the Kansas City Chiefs are either immediately inside or outside the Top 10 for most.

Just when the tide started to turn for the Kansas City Chiefs—as the defense was coming together, as the pass rush was becoming formidable, as the secondary silenced doubters, as the special teams was showing up strong—they met the Tennessee Titans, of all teams.

Yes, the Titans once again struck the Chiefs where it hurt most: in the final standings. Somehow the Chiefs walked away with a loss despite dominating the overall statistics in the box score. While some plays were outrageous (e.g. the special teams miscues), it was also hard to watch the team’s defense allow Derrick Henry to do exactly what Henry had done in the past and run the ball down the Chiefs’ collective throats.

It’s no surprise then to see the Chiefs take a bit of a tumble in this week’s round-up of NFL power rankings. Some voters are still believers in the Chiefs overall talent level, but some are rightfully having a difficult time placing any more hope or faith in a roster that looks good on paper but can’t put it together for some reason on the field.

Here’s a look at Week 11 and a various assortment of power rankings from around the world of NFL media coverage.

FanSided – 11th overall

Sports Illustrated – 7th

CBS Sports – 12th

NBC Sports – 9th

Bleacher Report – 7th

ESPN – 9th

NFL.com – 10th

As you can see, the general belief in the Chiefs has wavered quite a bit but the presence of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid likely keeps some from simply throwing away any and all expectations. After all, the Chiefs are still a division leader. They’re still on track to make the postseason. They have a light schedule the rest of the way, and the recent track record against the rest of the West (who comprise much of that schedule) is exemplary.

That said, for a team with Super Bowl aspirations and projections in the preseason, it’s weird to see just how far this team has fallen. This is one-and-done territory in the postseason when you’re teetering on the Top 10—not that power ranking placement means anything, but it does mean that other teams like the Patriots, Texans, Ravens and even more are considered better than the Chiefs. At this point, the road to the Super Bowl might just include road fights and tougher opponents.

Here’s hoping the Chiefs can turn things around, but there’s no more talk of running the table. This team needs to focus on one game at a time and it begins on Monday night in Mexico City.