The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs personal the NFL’s greatest document at 13-1, but they could possibly be underdogs in every of their final three regular-season video games. Even when Patrick Mahomes recovers from the ankle damage he suffered within the win in opposition to the Browns, the Chiefs will finish the 2024 marketing campaign with possibly their hardest stretch of the season.
The Chiefs’ streak of 15 consecutive wins by one rating or much less ended in opposition to Cleveland when Kansas Metropolis received 21-7. The sport ought to have been a blowout as a result of the Browns turned the ball over six occasions, however the Chiefs solely managed 311 yards of complete offense and punted 9 occasions.
The NFL has given the Chiefs a brutal schedule down the stretch, not solely with the opponents they need to face, however Kansas Metropolis has three video games in 11 days. Contemplating its bye week was again in Week 6, it’s a lot for the league to ask.
The Chiefs host the Texans on Saturday, six days after enjoying in Cleveland. 4 days later, on Christmas Day, they play at Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. ET. They will end at Denver in Week 18.
BetMGM already has the Chiefs as a 2.5-point underdog in opposition to the Texans, and that’s earlier than Mahomes’ availability is understood. There’s a good probability they’re underdogs in opposition to the Steelers, too. Regardless that the Steelers will likely be enjoying on brief relaxation, they are going to be house on Christmas after a brief street journey to Baltimore this weekend.
Denver misplaced to the Chiefs when a last-second chip-shot area aim was blocked in Kansas Metropolis. The Broncos are enjoying effectively and will likely be searching for revenge. Denver may need an additional incentive if its AFC West rivals have a bye within the playoffs on the road.
It nearly defies cause that the Chiefs are 13-1. By Week 3, their high two broad receivers and No. 1 working again have been all on injured reserve. Their secondary was decimated because the season progressed, and now, Mahomes is harm.
They rank thirteenth in passing yards and fifteenth in speeding yards. Till their win in opposition to the Browns, they solely had 10 takeaways for the season. They received a number of video games in uncommon methods, like last-second blocked area objectives and a snap to an unprepared quarterback within the waning seconds of a sport.
How lengthy can the great fortune the Chiefs have skilled in video games all season final? How lengthy will Mahomes be out? Will Marquise Brown return and make any affect since getting injured on the primary offensive play of the preseason?
The Chiefs are already underdogs for the upcoming sport vs. Houston, and it could not be a shock in the event that they have been street underdogs for the Steelers and Broncos video games. That 13-1 document nearly looks as if a mirage. However is it? Since shedding to the Raiders in Kansas Metropolis final Christmas, they’ve received 19 of their final 20 video games, together with street playoff video games in Buffalo and Baltimore and a Tremendous Bowl.
Success does not occur primarily based on luck, however these final three video games may give everybody a greater thought of whether or not the Chiefs are pretty much as good as their present document suggests.
