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After their 24-17 defeat of the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, the Kansas City Chiefs edged upward in most of the Week 12 NFL Power Rankings — although one writer dropped them three places in their standings.
Here’s a sampling:
NFL.com: 9
(up from 10)
Sometimes you just have to survive. That’s what the Chiefs did on Monday night in Mexico City, winning a game that could have easily slipped away. The potential excuses were plentiful: Patrick Mahomes threw for the least number of yards in a game he’s completed. Kansas City was significantly outgained by the Chargers. Tyreek Hill, Damian Williams and LeSean McCoy all exited with injuries. And yet, the Chiefs got on their plane at 7-4 and in sole possession of first place in AFC West. Credit Mahomes for making several big plays with his legs (he was the team’s leading rusher), Travis Kelce for stepping up as the skill players dropped like flies, and especially, a Chiefs defense that intercepted Philip Rivers four times, including a Daniel Sorensen pick that sealed the game late. Next, a magnificently timed bye before a huge divisional showdown against the Raiders. — Dan Hanzus
ESPN: 8
(up from 9)
Most underrated player: Anthony Sherman, FB
Sherman doesn’t play much on offense, but there’s a reason the Chiefs keep bringing him back. Sherman is now in his seventh season with the Chiefs because of his special-teams ability. He led the Chiefs in special-teams tackles with five heading into Monday night’s game against the Chargers. — Adam Teicher
Sports Illustrated MMQB: 5
(up from 7)
The Chiefs take sole possession of the tight AFC West with Monday night’s win over the Chargers in Mexico City. This team could make a run at a playoff bye, but their remaining five games (after a Week 12 bye) isn’t a walk in the park—Raiders, at Patriots, Broncos, at Bears, Chargers.
CBSSports.com: 15
(down from 12)
It wasn’t pretty in Mexico City against the Chargers, but they found a way. The defense came up big, but it wasn’t the usual explosive offense. — Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports: 8
(8 from 9)
Tyreek Hill, LeSean McCoy and Damien Williams all left Monday night’s game with injuries. The Chiefs will be happy to book their win and get back home. — Frank Schawb
The Sporting News: 8
(up from 9)
Patrick Mahomes, evident by his key running against the Chargers, was a little healthier Monday night than he was when he picked apart the Titans in a losing effort last week. He got a big hand from the defense just when he needed it without Tyreek Hill going into the bye. — Vinnie Iyer
USA Today: 7
(up from 9)
If Kansas City defense can consistently approach performance it had against Bolts on Monday in Mexico, this team actually does have a credible chance to reach Super Bowl LIV. — Nate Davis
The Washington Post: 8
(up from 9)
The Chiefs showed Monday night in Mexico City that they actually can win a game in which Patrick Mahomes isn’t unbelievably great. But Philip Rivers’s generosity certainly helped. — Mark Maske
Mile High Report: 6
(unchanged from 6)
Kansas City will need Patrick Mahomes to return to his early [form], but if I was looking to bet on an outside contender, the Chiefs are it. — Just_JoRo
Bleeding Green Nation: 7
(unchanged from 7)
Andy Reid’s team bounced back with a key win over a division rival. — Brandon Lee Gowton