We had an early clue that this was not necessarily going to be the Kansas City Chiefs year. Only three other defending Super Bowl Champions had lost the traditional home opener since the inception of the series in 2004. But the Chiefs became the fourth, losing a one point decision to the upstart Detroit Lions.
Still, by midseason, the Chiefs were in the hunt for the AFC top seed in the playoffs, and they were doing it with their defense. In terms of points allowed they were near the top defensively, while their offense had cooled to the middle of the league.
Then it happened.
Like someone who could hear their car was beginning to make funny noises but continued to drive, the thing conked out. The Chiefs defense didn’t get any better, but their spectacular quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, was seemingly throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns and the Chiefs dropped like an anvil off a rooftop. In their last eight games, Kansas City has lost five, including setbacks to the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Las Vegas Raiders.
Their once pursuit of the top seed for the playoffs has now been replaced by the possibility that the Las Vegas Raiders could win the AFC West and the Chiefs move onto their off-season before the playoffs begin.
Seems improbable, but with two games left in the season the Raiders, who upset Kansas City on their home field on Christmas, are just two back in the standings with a chance to overtake the Chiefs if they win two and Andy Reid’s men continue their descent.