Let’s appreciate that the KC Chiefs are in first place

Let’s just take a moment to appreciate something remarkable: the Kansas City Chiefs are in first place in the AFC West.

Something that felt inconceivable just weeks ago became a reality last weekend after the Chiefs thumped the Las Vegas Raiders 41-14 on Sunday night. Losses by the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos meant the Chiefs – who started the day on the bottom of the division – would end the night in lone possession of first place.

Despite all the struggles, all the frustrations and all the difficulties they have faced, Kansas City’s playoff destiny is in their own hands.

At multiple points this year it has felt like the season was all but over for the Chiefs. After a crushing 38-20 loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills and a 27-3 annihilation by the Tennessee Titans, it seemed like hope of reaching a third-consecutive Super Bowl were out the window. But just three weeks after the horror show in Tennessee, things have changed completely. Three-straight wins have seen Kansas City go from playoff outsiders to favorites to make the postseason.

It’s worth pausing for a moment to celebrate the position of the Chiefs after the season’s first half.

It is easy to take Kansas City’s current position for granted. After all, they are exactly where we thought they would be before the season. Coming off the back of five consecutive AFC West titles and with the team in their prime, it felt inevitable that the Chiefs would cruise to another division crown.

But it has not been that easy. The Chiefs have had to overcome numerous obstacles – a catastrophically poor defense, an inconceivably inept offense, and a quarterback who for the first time in his career looked less than superhuman. Given how dire things looked after the Titans and Bills games it is remarkable to think that the Chiefs are in first place and how quickly things have turned around.

Kansas City’s defense was giving up almost 33 points a game through the first five weeks of the season, but since then they have halved that, allowing less than 16 points per game. An offense that had been in a slump finally burst back to life against the Raiders to a tune of 516 total yards and 41 points.

Yes, the Chiefs have had some luck to help turn things around. The Raiders are a mess, and had Aaron Rodgers been able to play for Green Bay in Week 9 then that game could have turned out completely different too. Playing the NFC East helps as well. But regardless of how they got there, the Chiefs are in first place. And now, a season that seemed destined to end in disappointment is suddenly full of hope and potential again.

There is still a long, long road to go. There is still plenty of football left to play and just because the Chiefs are in first place right now doesn’t mean they still will be there at the end of Week 18. But for now, let’s appreciate that the Chiefs are back in first place in the AFC West and how hard it has been to get there. The Chiefs have faced a mountain of adversity and it finally looks like they might be back to their very best.