Seahawks-Chiefs final score: What we learned about KC beating the defending champs, 24-20

The Kansas City Chiefs move to 7-3 after beating the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 24-20. The Denver Broncos also lost which means the Chiefs are now tied with the Broncos for first place in the AFC West with a meeting against Denver in two weeks.

But we're getting ahead of ourselves. The Chiefs had an outstanding victory on Sunday against the Seahawks. Here's what we learned about this team.

1. The Chiefs are legitimate contenders

For the playoffs, of course. But also for the Super Bowl. Yeah, I said it.

The Chiefs have played a hell of a schedule and here they stand at 7-3, beating top tier teams such as the Patriots and Seahawks. This team went toe to toe with the defending Super Bowl champs and came out on top on Sunday. The thing is, this was two tough ass teams going up against each other and the Chiefs came out on top. This was January football, and I love it.

The Chiefs have another major test when they face the Broncos in two weeks. That will continue to tell us more. But after seeing the Chiefs beat the Seahawks -- when they lost the turnover battle! -- tells me a lot about this team. They're for real.

Put this another way: The Chiefs faced the final four teams from last year's Championship games. They beat two of them. Not bad.

2. Jamaal Charles and the Chiefs can run on anyone

If the Chiefs can run the way they did today against one of the NFL's best defenses, they can run on anyone. Charles eclipsed the 150-yard mark early in the fourth quarter, including a 47-yard run that helped set up a touchdown after the Chiefs faced their first deficit of the day. It wasn't just Jamaal; DAT had three carries for 22 yards and Knile Davis had a couple of key runs, including a short touchdown run.

3. Travis Kelce can block just fine

With Anthony Fasano out, I was worried about the Chiefs rushing attack. Until I saw Kelce do this to a Seahawks player:

RT @GottliebShow: what happens when Nose guard is out RT @AaronNagler: Legion of You Got Blown Up https://t.co/SdtaofWTMa>>oh my God

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) November 16, 2014

Now watch Jim Ross call Kelce's block on Earl Thomas.

4. Chiefs streaks stay alive

No Chiefs receiver has caught a touchdown pass yet.

The Chiefs defense has not given up a rushing touchdown yet. This one was close because the Seahawks had the ball on the half yard line but decided to pass it for a touchdown.

5. A few management questions (that don't matter now)

The first came at the end of the first half. With 1:32 remaining g and the Chiefs holding a 14-7 lead, I wanted them to just run out the clock to end the first half. But Andy Reid decided to pass it three times, which killed the clock. Travis Kelce fumbled and the Seahawks got it back and went down to kick a field goal. The Chiefs should not have given them that much time.

The second came on the Chiefs first drive of the second half. Knile Davis ran it down to the 2-yard line for what looked like a first down. But the refs ruled he was just short. The Chiefs were stopped on third and one and had to kick a field goal instead of scoring a touchdown. Andy Reid looked long and hard about challenging the spot of the ball on Davis' run but decided not to. Who knows if he would have gotten the challenge right.

On the good side of challenges, Andy Reid decided to challenge a play the refs ruled a first down. It was actually a yard short, Reid challenged it and the Seahawks were short, ultimately going for it on fourth down and not getting it.

6. The Chiefs have a leaky run defense

Seattle is a really good rushing team so it's not all that concerning that they ran up the rushing yards on the Chiefs (over 200). Marshawn Lynch is excellent and Russell Wilson always picks the perfect time to run. But this Chiefs run defense has been an issue for much of the season. They have been able to mask it but on a per play basis the Chiefs are one of the worst run stoppers in the league. I'm not really sure what the solution is here but the Chiefs struggle when facing very good rushing attacks like San Francisco and Seattle. Luckily they don't have many of those types of teams left on their schedule.

Game notes

• It was 19 degrees at the game. One of the coldest I remember in some time.
• Albert Wilson, who was involved in the fumble on the punt return last week, forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, but the Seahawks recovered.
• New Chiefs TE Phillip Supernaw caught the first pass.
• Dontari Poe lined up at fullback on the Chiefs on the 1-yard line. The Chiefs passed and it was incomplete.
• The Chiefs opening drive was 9:01, the longest drive of the season for the Chiefs. It resulted in a touchdown.
• The Seahawks answered the Chiefs opening 15 play drive with their own 16 play drive. Ron Parker had a penalty and a missed tackle that cost the Chiefs.
• Donald Stephenson played a number of snaps in this game as the third tackle.
• Tony Moeaki caught a touchdown pass for the Seahawks.

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