After an exciting playoff filled with high scoring and comeback after comeback in 2019, the Chiefs capped it off with a final come-from-behind victory, outlasting the 49ers in the Super Bowl 31-20.
Folks were talking about this team being the next great NFL dynasty, led by Patrick Mahomes who could very well be the greatest ever when he is done. With Andy Reid manning the team, all the weapons on both sides of the ball returning and adding free agents and key rookies this offseason, the Chiefs should be the talk of the town this season.
Coming into the season, they were favourites to win it all again in 2020-2021. So, why isn’t anyone talking about them right now? Why are the reigning Super Bowl winners, boasting a great young quarterback, Hall of Fame coach, and a plethora of weapons not the headline of the year?
2020 has been a weird year for sport and the NFL is no exception.
Tom Brady is in another jersey, most people’s NFC pick, the Dallas Cowboys, are in last place, and the Steelers are 9-0 and with no signs of slowing down and some saying a perfect season is in play.
But where are the talking points with the Chiefs? It is not like they fell off a cliff and are fighting for a wild card position. This team is 8-1 and are one slip up from the Steelers away from claiming the top seed in the entire league.
Mahomes has not been the focal point of most valuable player discussions this year. Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, and company are apparently trying to edge each other out, while Mahomes is having another great year. He has 25 touchdowns and one interception. Yes, that’s correct – 25 to one. He is easily going to outperform his stats from last year when he was the favourite for the MVP nod until a knee injury dashed his chances.
Mahomes should easily be the top guy in the MVP talk and will go on to win, barring an injury.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City are on pace to break their total yards, yards per play and rushing yards from last year, as well as fewer turnovers. The 2020 regular season Chiefs are about to be better than the 2019 Chiefs who won it all, and yet I do not see a story about them.
Are we just used to their greatness and wanting something new? We cannot be, considering that Mahomes signed for half a billion dollars and is going to be around for the next decade.
Do we think the Steelers are better than them this year? I doubt it – Pittsburgh are undefeated, but came into this year with one of the easiest schedules and have the second easiest schedule remaining. Give me the Chiefs in the playoffs any day.
Do we forget about them because they are in Kansas City and not a large market? That cannot be it: we talk about Cleveland every day, and the Chiefs are on a way different level to the Browns.
We need to just stop and appreciate what they are doing. 8-1, a game out of the best record in the NFL, with one of the greatest talents to ever throw a football. Andy Reid is coaching out of his mind and their playmakers are making top 10 plays every Sunday.
Respect the Chiefs because they will be around for a while.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I have been a Chiefs fan for a few decades now, and finally had my first taste of Super Bowl success last season, their first SB win in 50 years. The emergence of Patrick Mahomes and a great Offensive team, got the job done last season. There has always been a query over their Defensive capabilities. Last season they coped well enough , but the query is still there , and they are still conceding more points than a top "dynasty aspirant" should. Mahomes has already dragged them back from the brink a few times this season, including yesterdays "come from behind on the bell win" over a very good Raiders outfit. That now takes them now to 9-1 and nearly assures them of the AFC West title, but they really need to get more resilient in defence if they are to go back to back this season.
Willie La'ulu
Roar Guru
I don't know if they're under the radar, but the fact the Seahawks are starting to lose isn't helping lol. I think they were on a sly note, "forgotten" with Seattle going bezerk in the NFC West, but with a few losses, they look to be falling backwards and now all eyes are back on the Chiefs. Funny enough, the undefeated Steelers still aren't getting the respect you'd expect from a side who hasn't loss? Weird, but funny. I think the Chiefs from the AFC is as sure a thing as anything. Who wins from the NFC is a mystery, but they will have to face a high powered engine from Kansas City.
JGK
Roar Guru
I don’t think they are flying under the radar. They are favourites for the title and PM is the MVP favourite.