NFL | The particular domination of the Chiefs

Some destinies seem inevitable. Even though the Kansas City Chiefs have played more games than anyone over the past two years, no one has yet figured out the solution to slow them down. Despite a destitute roster, the two-time defending Super Bowl champions still dominate the overall NFL standings.

Will the Chiefs get the better of the New Orleans Saints on Monday night to begin their annual bye week with a perfect 5-0 record? If so, the Chiefs will deserve to be considered, once again, as the most serious Super Bowl contender.

All the counterparts of quarterback Patrick Mahomes accompanying him at the top of the rankings are well supported. In Minnesota, Sam Darnold can count on Justin Jefferson. In Buffalo, Josh Allen can rely on James Cook. In Detroit, Jared Goff can turn to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Mahomes must fend for himself and make gold out of salt.

The team’s number two receiver, Hollywood Brown, has been out with a shoulder injury since September 14. Senior running back Isiah Pacheco will miss several weeks of activity with a shin injury. Rashee Rice, number one receiver, missed the last game with a knee injury. Note that Pacheco and Rice led the Chiefs in their efficiency in the paying zone.

Meanwhile, Travis Kelce is frolicking without bringing any grist to the mill. He woke up last week, but he’s still having a horrible start to the season. He has yet to score a touchdown. The Chiefs still dominate the NFL standings and no one is panicking in Kansas City.

In relief

Fortunately for the Chiefs, the captain of the boat refuses to turn around to return to dry land due to lack of manpower. Mahomes is the man for the job and he will inevitably be the last to leave the ship if it takes on water.

In this fifth week of the season, the 29-year-old quarterback’s options remain limited. Among receivers, he must work with a player released by the New England Patriots, Juju Smith-Schuster. Then with Justin Watson, a former fifth-round pick released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers three years ago and who has never caught more than 27 passes in a season.

Among the running backs, the ground game relies on a player released by the Cleveland Browns last year, Kareem Hunt, and a player released by the Denver Broncos over the summer, Samaje Perine. No team that released these players can claim a winning record since the start of the season.

So much so that in order to win a third consecutive Super Bowl, Mahomes will have to fall back on rookie Xavier Worthy. The receiver had been extraordinary with the Texas Longhorns in the NCAA, but he has yet to play five games in the NFL. And it is partly on him that the offensive production of this budding dynasty rests.

Worthy has all the skills to become a top receiver in the NFL. He is the fastest player in the NFL, can make big passing plays and run the ball on knockdown plays. We only know if he will be able to negotiate with his new workload.

But if there’s one man capable of making this battered team win, it’s Mahomes.

Trust

The best teams know how to adapt. To post a perfect record, the Chiefs did not hesitate to change a winning formula.

In 2023, only five teams ran less than the Chiefs. And only seven passed more often.

This season, Kansas City comes in at 13^e rank of the teams which carry the ball the most often and in 13^e rank of the teams which pass the least.

The core remained pretty much the same on defense. If the linebackers stand out by completing important plays, see here Nick Bolton’s tackle on Bijan Robinson two weeks ago during the last play of the game against the Falcons, the Chiefs’ defensive unit does not revolutionize anything.

However, the Chiefs’ ability to adapt in attack is astonishing. In fact, the offensive line’s outfit is worth its weight in gold. His performance allows for better gains on the ground in addition to helping Mahomes in his decision-making. The Chiefs center has just seven sacks this season, tied for seventh in the NFL. He also ranks fourth among the quarterbacks to have suffered the fewest blitzes, because opposing defenses know how impenetrable the offensive line is.

Another interesting stat, Mahomes is tied for second in the NFL in how quickly he throws the ball.

On average, he needs 2.2 seconds to throw a pass. Translation: the schemes are clear, his receivers know their route and the game plan is designed to favor a style of play in which Mahomes is comfortable.

And if the Chiefs have won all their games by a margin of one possession, it is also thanks to the stability of the group of coaches in place. Andy Reid has served as the team’s head coach for 12 years. Matt Nagy began his fourth season as offensive coordinator. Steve Spagnuolo leads the defensive brigade for the sixth year.

A trinity resembling that of the Patriots, when Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia ruled the roost. Two trios of coaches capable of performing small miracles every week. And their fate looks almost identical. The only difference is that the Pats have never won three consecutive championships.