:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65629832/1180042284.jpg.0.jpg)
The Kansas City Chiefs edged up with NFL writers across the country after their dramatic 26-23 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Every ranking we checked had the Chiefs up or unchanged from Week 9. In addition, every ranking dropped the New England Patriots out of the top spot after their Sunday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The San Francisco 49ers or New Orleans Saints took the top spot in every list we saw.
Here’s a sampling:
NFL.com: 8
(up from 9)
Beating the Vikings was important for the Chiefs, who, after falling to Green Bay in Week 8, had to find a way to win one of these games with Patrick Mahomes sidelined. This is a Super Bowl-or-bust season for Kansas City; to make it there, the Chiefs need to win the AFC West and — ideally — snag one of the top two seeds and the bye that comes with it. Matt Moore did his part, even if he never takes another snap, with Mahomes potentially on track to return soon from the knee injury he suffered in Week 7. The career backup QB played very well these past two weeks, posting a passer rating north of 100 in both starts. He got help against the Vikings from Damien Williams, who had a 91-yard touchdown run and a potentially game(season?)-saving fumble recovery after Moore was stripped on the Chiefs’ final drive, which ended with Harrison Butker’s game-winning kick. LeSean McCoy was a savvy pickup by the Chiefs, but Williams is The Man in the Kansas City backfield. — Dan Hanzus
ESPN: 5
(unchanged from 5)
Scary trend: Opponents have scored touchdowns on 24.7% of drives
This is in the territory of losing teams. The Chiefs are 25th in this category, and there are no winning teams below them, so this is unsustainable. The Chiefs have to be better at getting the opposing offense off the field through turnovers or punts. — Adam Teicher
Sports Illustrated MMQB: 5
(up from 6)
Props to Andy Reid for putting Matt Moore in position to win this game for the Chiefs. Tyreek Hill (140 yards receiving, 1 TD) and Harrison Butker (4/4 on FGA highlighted by this nails 53-yarder) deserve nods as well.
CBSSports.com: 10
(up from 15)
That was an impressive victory against the Vikings without Patrick Mahomes. He should be back soon, which is when things get back to normal. — Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports: 8
(up from 10)
Perhaps the most impressive play of the week was Tyreek Hill catching up to Damien Williams on Williams’ long touchdown run. We all knew Hill was fast, but wow. — Frank Schawb
The Sporting News: 7
(up from 8)
The Chiefs needed to split their games with Matt Moore filling in for Patrick Mahomes, and after falling just short against the Packers, they redeemed themselves at home in comeback style against the Vikings. Mahomes should be back to raise their offensive ceiling against the Titans. — Vinnie Iyer
USA Today: 7
(up from 9)
They put an incredible load on quarterback’s shoulder, whomever it is. Lack of balance looms as a real problem once January rolls around. — Nate Davis
The Washington Post: 7
(up from 11)
Patrick Mahomes missed a second straight game, and the Chiefs managed a significant victory Sunday with Matt Moore filling in at QB. Mahomes presumably could return this week. But perhaps the Chiefs should be extra careful and keep him sidelined a bit longer, protecting him from himself. — Mark Maske
Mile High Report: 7
(up from 9)
I’m sure if you told Reid he’d split the games with Minny and Green Bay starting Matt Moore, he’d gladly take it. It’s going to be fascinating to see how they manage Patrick Mahomes’ health with a game against the Raiders to open December before a trip to Foxboro. — Just_JoRo
Bleeding Green Nation: 5
(up from 8)
In case you forgot that he’s a pretty good head coach, Andy Reid managed to beat a hot Vikings team with his backup quarterback. Patrick Mahomes shouldn’t be out too much longer. — Brandon Lee Gowton