The Kansas City Chiefs offense is nothing to write home about. They're not awful but they're not great either, which is what you'd expect after they lost their best player.
That defense, though. That Chiefs defense is worthy of a spot in the playoffs. In the past five weeks, the Chiefs defense has come alive and they're playing like they're the top defense in the NFL, not Denver.
Since giving up 30-plus points in Weeks 2-4, the Chiefs defense has had games of 18, 16, 13, 10 and 13 points. That type of performance will win you a lot of games in the NFL, regardless of the type of offense you have.
Alex Smith was 17-of-31 for 204 yards and one touchdown. He hasn't thrown an interception since the Chiefs Week 3 loss to Green Bay, nearing the Chiefs interception-less streak set by Steve DeBerg. Charcandrick West had 69 yards on 24 carries - his third straight game with 20-plus carries - but also flashed big play ability with an 80-yard touchdown catch. After West, De'Anthony Thomas led the Chiefs receivers with 37 yards on four catches.
Impressive numbers? Not really. Good enough to win with an elite defense? Absolutely.
The Chiefs don't need an offense putting up 30 points when their defense is playing like this. A "just don't screw it up" offense is good enough with a defense like that. Considering this Broncos defense held Aaron Rodgers to 77 yards and Joe Flacco to 117 yards, I'm willing to give the Chiefs offense a pass in this game. They were playing the NFL's No. 1 defense after all.
After starting 1-5, I'm content with where things are right now. The Chiefs identity is becoming clear and they are who we thought they were: an elite defense with an offense that doesn't screw it up. If the defense can't do that, the Chiefs are probably in trouble. But maybe they can....