When the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs began the season 1-2, many have been fast to solid doubt on the contending capabilities of the reigning AFC champions — NBC Information included.
So, within the curiosity of equity, it deserves to be famous: Since Week 4, the Chiefs’ offense is lastly beginning to resemble what it did through the heights of their dynastic run. And that ought to terrify the remainder of the league.
Getting into Week 8, Kansas Metropolis ranked sixth in factors per recreation, which might be the crew’s finest mark since 2022 when it completed first in scoring. Earlier than this week’s slate of video games, the Chiefs have been fifth in yards per recreation, additionally their finest since 2022.
After ending close to the center of the pack in each scoring and yardage a yr in the past, Kansas Metropolis is beginning to get scorching. Patrick Mahomes has his finest passer score since 2022, and can also be on tempo for his most passing touchdowns since that season. The Chiefs have additionally scored a minimum of 28 factors in every of their final 4 video games — the primary time they’ve executed so since 2021.
“We’ve got a variety of weapons. We’ve got a variety of guys they usually all love one another, they usually need one another to succeed,” Mahomes mentioned after a 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. “We need to be higher than what we at the moment are, however this was an excellent step in the suitable path.”
An enormous motive for Kansas Metropolis’s success has been the improved play of its go catchers.
Regardless of the Chiefs spending the fifth-lowest quantity on their receivers this yr, that group has began to exceed expectations. Per ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell, over the primary three weeks of the season, solely 46% of Kansas Metropolis’s passes have been thrown to open receivers. Starting in Week 4, that quantity elevated to 62.7% after the win over the Raiders, the very best mark within the NFL.
Towards Las Vegas, the Chiefs acquired one other increase with the return of receiver Rashee Rice, who missed the primary six video games of the season because of a suspension because of an April 2024 arrest.
A second-round decide in 2023, Rice was sensational as a rookie, catching 79 passes for 938 yards and 7 touchdowns. However he performed in solely 4 video games final yr earlier than present process season-ending surgical procedure on his knee.
In his first motion of the season in Week 7, Rice had seven catches for 42 yards and two scores.
“I believed the entire receiving crew did a pleasant job, however it was nice to have him again,” head coach Andy Reid mentioned after the Raiders win. “The vitality he brings is simply large.”
If the current offensive surge is sustainable, then Kansas Metropolis is a way more harmful crew than it confirmed early within the season. The protection has been spectacular in its personal proper, rating fourth in complete yards allowed and third in factors per recreation allowed coming into Week 8.
Regardless that the Chiefs would solely be in seventh place within the AFC with a win over the Washington Commanders on Monday, they seem like peaking as we enter the second half of the NFL season.
“We’re going to get even an increasing number of in sync with having the complete arsenal,” tight finish Travis Kelce mentioned following the return of Rice in Week 7. “So long as we hold enjoying unselfish and getting excited for one another, the sky’s the restrict for this group.”
