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This week, almost all of the national power rankings left the Kansas City Chiefs in the same place they were in Week 10. In fact, the only publication where the Chiefs moved in the rankings was Sports Illustrated’s MMQB, which made a one-week return to its traditional writer poll format in Week 10. For Week 11, MMQB writer Albert Breer had a different idea. Until the Pittsburgh Steelers lose a game, there’s not likely going to be more room for Kansas City at the top.
Here’s our weekly sampling:
NFL.com: 1
(unchanged from 1)
Three games in, and it doesn’t appear that Le’Veon Bell is a thing in the Chiefs offense. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has seen his snap count drop in the past weeks corresponding with Bell’s arrival, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Blowouts in two games led to CEH getting a breather, and it was Darrel Williams who ate into the rookie’s playing time in Week 9’s 33-31 victory over the Panthers. Curiously, Edwards-Helaire played only 40 percent of the offensive snaps in that win, which makes you wonder what this backfield will look like when Kansas City returns from its bye. But don’t assume Bell carves out a significant role — he’s looked a step slow in his limited work, like the same guy who struggled with the Jets.
— Dan Hanzus
ESPN: 2
(unchanged from 2)
What would they take back: Not handling the Raiders’ passing game in Week 5
Between an ineffective pass rush and unfavorable matchups against wide receivers down the field, the Chiefs didn’t have much of a defensive game plan against the Raiders when the teams played in October. The results were four Las Vegas pass plays of at least 40 yards, 40 Raiders points and the only Chiefs loss of the season. The Chiefs will demonstrate how well they learned their lessons on Sunday, when the teams get together again, this time in Nevada.
— Adam Teicher
Sports Illustrated MMQB: 2
(down from 1)
Last week: Bye
Next week: at Las Vegas
The Chiefs feel like they’re cruising along on the interstate at a steady 85 MPH. Last year, they found another gear late. If that happens this time around, with Patrick Mahomes closing in on some pretty historic stuff, look out.
— Albert Breer
CBSSports.com: 2
(unchanged from 2)
They come off their bye with a big division game against the Raiders. The best is yet to come from this team.
— Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports: 1
(unchanged from 1)
We’ll hear about Kyler Murray’s MVP chances or why Alvin Kamara isn’t getting more MVP buzz, but it’s because we’re already giving some Michael Jordan treatment to Patrick Mahomes. Voters got bored giving Jordan the NBA MVP in the 1990s and started passing it around to others. The same could happen to Mahomes, who has become the clear MVP favorite this season. Over the next decade, there will be more seasons than not when Mahomes could be voted MVP. How many MVPs he wins will depend on whether voters get tired of giving it to him.
— Frank Schawb
The Sporting News: 1
(unchanged from 1)
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs needed that midseason bye to make things better around Mahomes. He’s been on fire passing, but they need to restore their strengths of running game and defense for the stretch run of defending their Super Bowl championship.
— Vinnie Iyer
USA Today: 2
(unchanged from 2)
Eventful Monday included contract extensions for coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach before starting OTs Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz went on reserve/COVID-19 list. Kansas City will surely need that duo back if it hopes for an eventful Sunday, when champs seek to avenge loss to Raiders in front of national TV audience.
— Nate Davis
The Washington Post: 2
(unchanged from 2)
The Chiefs were busy Monday as they emerged from their bye week by announcing contact extensions for Coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach and placing offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz on their covid-19 reserve list. The immediate post-bye schedule is interesting with consecutive road games at Las Vegas and Tampa Bay
— Mark Maske
Mile High Report: 2
(unchanged from 2)
It feels like there are two legitimate championship caliber teams in the NFL right now. Those are the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Behind them, things get a little messy. I really like the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals, but they have some questionable games out there. I still think they are really good, though. I would put the New Orleans Saints in that category, but with Drew Brees out for an unknown length of time with a collapsed lung... that team might be fading fast here in the coming weeks.
— Tim Lynch
Bleeding Green Nation: 2
(unchanged from 2)
The Chiefs return from their bye to face a Las Vegas team that beat them earlier this season.
— Brandon Lee Gowton