"After a tough loss, have the Kansas City Chiefs truly gotten back on track?"
This wasn't a provocation—it was a fair question.
First, Kansas City's performance had indeed been inconsistent; last season's mid-year collapse was baffling, and their victories this season had also seen highs and lows.
Second, while Alex Smith was often criticized for lacking playoff explosiveness, he did provide steady regular-season leadership, which shaped the team's identity. Mahomes, in contrast, was young and vibrant, but youth often brings volatility—a reality that had to be acknowledged.
Third, the Chiefs were relying heavily on second- and third-year players. A young roster still needed more tests to mature.
That's why rebounding swiftly from their hard-fought loss and defeating the Bengals seemed especially important.
So the league's discussion centered on this:
Was this blowout victory evidence that the Chiefs were simply that dominant—or had the Bengals simply unraveled?
Debate swirled.
Clearly, with a young team full of potential like Kansas City, everyone agreed further observation was needed—
But this uncertainty is precisely the magic of the NFL: no absolute juggernauts, no permanent underdogs. Every week, surprises abound.
And Kansas City answered these doubts immediately—with action.
In Week 8, they defeated the Denver Broncos 30–23, sweeping their division rival for the season.
As in their first matchup this year, the score was tight and the contest hard-fought.
Denver, after trading for Case Keenum from Minnesota—the "Cinderella" QB of the Vikings—hoped he would lead them back to contention. While Keenum played decently, he'd regressed from his stunning previous season, drifting back toward league average, even showing signs of further decline.
It was a reminder: a season or two of brilliance doesn't mean much in the NFL. The real challenge is sustaining success.
Denver leaned on its fierce defense; Von Miller, Super Bowl 50 MVP, was still a monster—three sacks of Mahomes and an interception.
But it wasn't enough.
Kansas City's collective strength carried them through. When it mattered most, it was Lance's 33-yard touchdown run that broke the deadlock and sealed victory.
A gritty win.
Now with two straight victories, Kansas City had steadied themselves amidst turbulence. After steamrolling Cincinnati, they'd ground out a divisional win against a tough Denver squad—demonstrating growth and evolution. This team was not the same as last season.
And they kept going.
In Week 9, they beat the Cleveland Browns 37–21.
Long a laughingstock of the league, a team that had drafted back-to-back No. 1 picks, the Browns seemed to finally be rising—
Forcing overtime at home against the Steelers and beating the Ravens in OT as well.
In their bitter division clashes, Cleveland had turned spoiler, confounding expectations even as their record remained poor outside the AFC North.
A note: NFL games can end in ties during the regular season if neither team scores a touchdown in overtime and time expires after trading field goals.
Cleveland's gritty performances had sparked excitement, leading many to look forward to their matchup with Kansas City.
Why? Two key reasons:
First: The "No. 1 pick vs. No. 3 pick" showdown—Myles Garrett vs. Lance.
Second: Rookie QB Baker Mayfield's brash confidence.
"I'll prove why I was the No. 1 pick—and why some guys were only taken tenth."
Social media buzzed in anticipation—even as Cleveland's overall record was grim.
The result?
No surprises.
Kansas City easily handled Cleveland, silencing the noise with a confident, composed performance.
Garrett missed another chance to shine, while Lance racked up 145 rushing yards and two touchdowns—dismantling Cleveland's defense and handling Garrett directly with ease.
Cleveland? Thoroughly beaten.
And Mayfield?
Ignored.
Week 10, Kansas City cruised past the Arizona Cardinals, 36–14.
The Cardinals had endured a tumultuous offseason:
Head coach Bruce Arians "retired" (a polite fiction), only to emerge a year later in Tampa Bay, proving it was never about retirement.
QB Carson Palmer also retired, and Arizona's front office had scrambled, trading for Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, then drafting Josh Rosen in Round 1—leaving analysts scratching their heads.
New coach Steve Wilks inherited the mess.
Predictably, Arizona was a disaster.
Against such a hapless opponent, Kansas City showed no mercy, dispatching the Cardinals easily with just 70% effort.
That was Kansas City's statement.
After the loss to the Patriots, they rattled off four straight wins—some gritty, some dominant—showcasing balance, composure, and strength.
At 9–1, they held the AFC's No. 1 seed firmly in their grasp.
And now—the most anticipated game of the season loomed:
"NFC No. 1 seed Los Angeles Rams vs. AFC No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs."
At midseason, the two hottest Super Bowl contenders would finally clash head-to-head.
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Powerstones?
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