Chiefs Have Evolved Into Polar Opposite of 15-2 Team From Last Season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hey, Nielsen. Don’t wait until the fourth quarter to capture Chiefs television ratings. Remember when the Chiefs won an NFL-record 17 straight one-score games? That’s ancient history now.

Kansas City’s average margin of victory this season is 18.5 points, the third-largest figure in the league entering Week 8. Discard Houston (2-4) and Baltimore (1-5) and the Chiefs lead the pack among teams that have won at least three games.

jerry tillery, kenny picket — Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jerry Tillery (99) recovers a fumble by Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The good news is Kansas City is playing the NFL’s best complementary football. The Chiefs rank sixth in the league with 26.6 points per game, and third in scoring defense (17.7 points allowed/game). The only other team in the top six in each category is Seattle (fifth in scoring offense, 27.6; sixth in scoring defense, 19.4).

And in their four wins, the Chiefs are averaging 30.0 points per outing.

rashee rice, hollywood brow — Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) congratulates wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) after a touchdown during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The bad news

The bad news is the Chiefs are 0-3 in one-score games. Their three losses (27-21 to the Chargers in Week 1, 20-17 against the Eagles in Week 2 and 31-28 at Jacksonville in Week 5) have been by a combined 12 points. Kansas City is one of only six clubs without a win this year in games decided by eight points or less. Only the Jets (0-5) and Texans (0-4) have been worse.

And no one expects the Chiefs to continue to win big, especially the Chiefs. Just consider their road ahead. After hosting Washington (3-4) on Monday Night Football (7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN/ABC, KMBC Ch. 9, 96.5 The Fan) …

Kansas City heads to Buffalo (4-2) for the annual mid-season AFC showdown.

Following a Week 10 bye, the Chiefs travel to Denver (5-2), currently first place in the AFC West.

Indianapolis (6-1), the team with the NFL’s most wins, comes to Arrowhead Stadium in Week 12.

And on a short week, Kansas City heads to Dallas (3-3-1) for a Thanksgiving battle. The Cowboys enter this week leading the league with 390.6 yards/game.

dak prescot — Oct 19, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu (4) attempts to tackle Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the second quarter of the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Winning plays in abundance now

After that disappointing loss in Jacksonville, Patrick Mahomes diagnosed the Chiefs’ condition as a lack of game-changing plays.

“Obviously there's positives on how we've progressed as an offense,” Mahomes said after the loss to the Jaguars, “but like I said, I think more than anything, it's about . And so, in years past, we might not have had so much success offensively, but we've made those winning plays whenever it's counted.”

drue tranquil — Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill (23) reacts to a missed interception during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Since that game, the Chiefs are 2-0 with two blowout wins, including a 30-17 triumph over the league’s hottest team at the time, Detroit, and the franchise’s first shutout in 10 years. And there’s no such thing as too many winning plays.

More close games are coming. Whether the Chiefs will change their early season trend and get back to their old ways could mean the difference in a fourth straight Super Bowl berth.

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