After the Kansas City Chiefs handed the Cleveland Browns a 24-7 loss in Week 15 — a multi-score victory that gave the impression to be a sticking level for quite a few NFL analysts — a few of them moved the Chiefs up. A pair have even moved the workforce to the highest of their rankings. But a few others moved Kansas City down. Go determine.
Here’s this week’s sampling:
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The Chiefs lastly secured their first cozy win in a pair months, after which information dropped that Patrick Mahomes is taken into account week to week with an ankle damage. That’s definitely a notable improvement for a workforce in a powerful (although not unassailable) place because the AFC’s prime seed. The Bills nonetheless have to make up floor, however they shut out the season with video games in opposition to the Patriots (twice) and Jets. The Chiefs face three groups which are all within the playoff combine (vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos) — and they’ll doubtlessly be with out Mahomes for a number of of these. That places the goal squarely again on Steve Spagnuolo’s protection, for my part; if Kansas City goes to carry regular down the stretch, that’s the unit that should play its greatest ball. Sunday was an amazing begin, with the Chiefs pressuring Jameis Winston relentlessly, however there are more durable exams forward. It’d be unfair to knock Kansas City down this pecking order with out extra data, particularly given this workforce’s historical past of constructing individuals like me look silly. Still, that is going to be a tricky little patch.
— Eric Edholm
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Biggest enchancment: Turnover differential
The Chiefs have been in unfavourable territory a lot of the season, the place they have been hanging out largely with groups that aren’t contending for the playoffs. They lastly flipped to plus-2 by taking the ball away six instances in Sunday’s win in Cleveland. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes stopped what had been a constant movement of interceptions. In the primary seven video games, he had a minimum of one. Mahomes has had solely two since Week 9.
— Adam Teicher
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From 2018 to 2022, Mahomes led the NFL in EPA per dropback (.25). This yr, he’s twelfth (.09) and his passer score (91) is the bottom in his tenure as a starter. And, nonetheless, he’s dragging a workforce with out many different excessive octane offensive weapons towards a Super Bowl three-peat. Mahomes left Sunday’s win with a gentle excessive ankle sprain and didn’t return, however coach Andy Reid stated afterward that Mahomes might have re-entered and ought to be thought-about “day after day.”
— Josh Kendall
(down from 3)
Only 10 snaps for Carson Wentz on Sunday, however in these few drop backs you possibly can see what a jazz musician Patrick Mahomes actually is. Wentz started his time somewhat bit gun shy, however appeared to stay to the notes fairly clearly after a shaky begin and was capable of get the ball out on time. It’s fascinating to pause the movie when Wentz decides to take off or abandon the play and watch comparable moments for Mahomes the place, in some respects, the play is simply starting.
— Conor Orr
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Even if Patrick Mahomes can’t play, if anybody can get something optimistic out of Carson Wentz, Andy Reid can.
— Mike Florio
(up from 2)
They are again within the prime spot with the Detroit Lions dropping. The damage to Patrick Mahomes might influence whether or not they get the highest seed within the AFC, particularly with three video games in 10 days.
— Pete Prisco
(down from 3)
The Bills’ spectacular win over Detroit, and the thrill over Josh Allen’s MVP push, is organising the Chiefs pulling off a win over them within the AFC championship recreation at Arrowhead Stadium, proper? The Chiefs appear inevitable, even with Patrick Mahomes limping round.
— Frank Schwab
(up from 2)
The Chiefs received the “simple win” they have been in search of by pounding the Browns, however in addition they have been fortunate they didn’t undergo a a lot greater loss with Patrick Mahomes’ ankle damage. At the identical time, they proved they will presumably earn Mahomes some relaxation by closing out the Browns with out him.
— Vinnie Iyer
(down from 4)
On the day QB Patrick Mahomes grew to become the quickest participant to generate 300 profession TDs (282 passing, 18 dashing in 128 video games), he additionally suffered an ankle damage… once more. Some massive selections forward for Kansas City, which might relaxation the three-time Super Bowl MVP – although the AFC West champs at the moment have to win two of their remaining three video games, that are most likely all in opposition to playoff groups (Houston, Pittsburgh, Denver), in the event that they need to assure resting all of their gamers within the wild-card spherical.
— Nate Davis
