2023 NFL Power Rankings: Kansas City Chiefs

Lesson learned: The Chiefs have a top-10 defense.

Through six games, the Chiefs are second in points allowed per game (14.7), sixth in yards allowed per game (284) and fifth in defensive efficiency (74.3), according to ESPN Analytics' Football Power Index. The schedule gets more difficult from here as the Chiefs will face five teams currently in the top seven in scoring. But what they've accomplished when Patrick Mahomes is not on the field doesn't look like a mirage. -- Adam Teicher

The Chiefs have won five straight, but four of those contests were grinders, and the offense remains hamstrung a bit by middling red-zone production and too many turnovers. They would rather be in the position they are now than where they were in 2021, when the defense struggled early before getting back on track. Don't forget that that team opened the season at 3-4, yet still made the AFC Championship Game (and led 21-3 before ultimately falling to the Bengals). The most concerning part about this team is its inability to slam the door shut. The Chiefs have only 12 fourth-quarter points this season -- all Harrison Butker field goals. There's no reason to freak out, but the lack of crunch-time production is out of character, and if it continues, it will come back to bite them against better opponents.

They haven't clicked on offense, but that defense is playing well. The offense will get there, but it does need to quit being so cute with its play-calling at times.

Including postseason, QB Patrick Mahomes has now started 100 NFL games ... and won 80 of them. Crazy. Fifteen percent of his career victories, or 12, have come against Denver — a team that will be back in Kansas City's crosshairs in Week 8.

Thanks to losses by the Eagles and 49ers, the Chiefs now have the longest active winning streak in the league. Still, everything just feels harder than usual on offense. Patrick Mahomes is 31st in the league in air yards per attempt (6.4), and the Chiefs are 29th in air yards per reception (4.6). Kansas City's explosive play percentage (9.7) is 19th in the league, the worst of the Andy Reid era, and the Chiefs have only one win against a team with a winning record.

Keep tinkering, Chiefs. I don't care how many trick plays you try or how unconvincing you look in these wins. It would take a lot to convince me that Kansas City won't be one of the last teams standing in January. It is worth pointing out, though, that the five teams the Chiefs have beaten have a combined record of 11-19. The level of play we've seen recently might get them beaten when they step up the level of competition.

The Chiefs need a receiver to step forward, and the one who keeps popping up is rookie Rashee Rice. He had 72 yards on Thursday night. The Chiefs' passing game hasn't been great yet. KC needs to expand Rice's role and see where it leads.

They're winning, but something is off.

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