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As far as the Kansas City Chiefs are concerned, it’s kind of a mixed bag in this week’s power rankings from national NFL writers: some are up, some are down and some are unchanged. And some (well, one) went out on a limb before the Chiefs sawed it off.
Here’s this week’s sampling:
NFL.com: 1
(up from 2)
On the eve of the World Series, Andy Reid threw the Bills a nasty changeup. The Chiefs rushed the ball 46 times for 245 yards on Monday, the most yardage for the team on the ground since 2012 and tied for the most single-game rushes in Reid’s 22 seasons as head coach. The Kansas City offense was led not by Patrick Mahomes but instead rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire (26 carries for 161 yards), who ran like he could hear Le’Veon Bell’s footsteps behind him. The ground domination was especially impressive considering the Chiefs’ issues along the offensive line. Guard Kelechi Osemele sustained serious injuries to both knees last week, while tackle Mitchell Schwartz exited Monday’s game in the first half with a back injury. The Bills were likely as surprised as they were defeated.
— Dan Hanzus
ESPN: 2
(up from 3)
Most impactful injury: G Kelechi Osemele
Osemele tore tendons in both of his knees in Week 5 against the Raiders, leaving the Chiefs without their most impactful interior offensive lineman. The Chiefs turned to journeyman Mike Remmers to replace him. The Chiefs are now down three potential starting offensive linemen, including Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Lucas Niang. Both opted out before the season because of COVID-19 concerns.
— Adam Teicher
Sports Illustrated MMQB: 1
(up from 2)
Last week: Win at Buffalo 26–17
Next week: at Denver
I tried to talk myself into one of the undefeated teams for the No. 1 spot, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to do it. A week ago I would not have had the Chiefs in the top spot, because it’s harder to do that after a loss. But I’ve felt all along that the Chiefs are the best team, and every team is going to slip up at some point like they did against the Raiders. It was good to see a rebound on Monday night with a dominant game against a good Bills team on a rainy night. I would pick the Chiefs to beat any other team on a neutral field right now and I still expect them to repeat as Super Bowl champs, so they’re back to being my No. 1.
— Mitch Golditch
CBSSports.com: 3
(up from 4)
They went to Buffalo and pounded the football, something you don’t expect from this team. I still think they need to get back to chucking it around, which is being true to who they are.
— Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports: 1
(unchanged from 1)
The Chiefs, who have the best quarterback in the NFL, bludgeoned the Bills on the ground. And they’re adding Le’Veon Bell to the offense. There’s a reason this team didn’t move out of the No. 1 spot after one loss.
— Frank Schawb
The Sporting News: 3
(down from 2)
The Chiefs don’t experience losing often with Patrick Mahomes. So it was good they had eight days to recover from their loss to the Raiders. Their passing game will be fine without Sammy Watkins and their running game and backfield production is about to get a whole lot better with Le’Veon Bell.
— Vinnie Iyer
Editor’s Note: This was clearly written before the Chiefs-Bills game on Monday. We’re keeping our eye on you, Mr. Iyer.
USA Today: 5
(up from 6)
They chewed up Buffalo for 245 yards on the ground, most since Andy Reid arrived in K.C. in 2013. Now add Le’Veon Bell to that mix. Could be deadly.
— Nate Davis
The Washington Post: 2
(unchanged from 2)
The running game, led by rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, got it done Monday evening in soggy Buffalo. Now the Chiefs add Le’Veon Bell to the RB mix. The guess is that Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy will get far more out of Bell than the Jets did.
— Mark Maske
Mile High Report: 3
(up from 4)
The Seattle Seahawks took over the top spot in this week’s power rankings and didn’t even have to play, because the previous number one spot was held by the Green Bay Packers who were blown out in their Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As for the Denver Broncos, they are moving up little by little. It’s crazy, but their three losses are against teams that are a combined 14-2 right now and they take on the 5-1 Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. Not an easy climb out of the hole for Denver early on this season.
— Tim Lynch
Bleeding Green Nation: 2
(up from 3)
You didn’t seriously think Patrick Mahomes was going to lose two games in a row, did you? It’s pretty unfair that the reigning Super Bowl champions were allowed to add Clyde Edwards-Helaire to their roster.
— Brandon Lee Gowton