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Authored by PETE SWEENEY

The Kansas City Chiefs are on the verge of a historic achievement: with their recent victory of 27-20 over the Las Vegas Raiders, they have reached an impressive 7-0 record for only the third time in the franchise’s illustrious history. This remarkable performance signals a strong season ahead, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination.

Long-time fans of the Chiefs will recall the previous two stellar starts where the team achieved 9-0 records before facing their first defeat: once with Trent Green in 2003 and again in 2013 under the leadership of Andy Reid. If the winning streak continues into November, this year could potentially mark the best start ever for the franchise, further solidifying its legacy in the NFL.

At times, it can be challenging to believe the momentum this team has built.

Defensively, the Chiefs are proving to be a formidable force. Opponents struggle to run the football against Kansas City, creating a one-dimensional offense that often leads to frustrating outcomes for their rivals, even if they start slowly. By the time the game progresses, as demonstrated on Sunday, gaining even a single yard becomes increasingly difficult for the opposition.

On the offensive side, the Chiefs are consistently executing their game plan from last season, focusing on establishing the run, taking advantage of available opportunities, and methodically advancing down the field. Each week brings a different standout pass-catcher, which is perfectly acceptable for the team as they continue to pile up victories.

Despite not always meeting his lofty statistical expectations, Patrick Mahomes remains the premier quarterback in the league. Observing his performance this season reveals his unique talent. On Sunday, Mahomes threw for two touchdowns, marking his first such achievement since Week 3. If not for some unfortunate penalties, the interception he threw might have been avoided altogether.

While Kansas City does exhibit a couple of notable weaknesses, which I will delve into in point No. 3, let’s first highlight the positive aspects of their performance.

Concerns about Travis Kelce’s Performance May Be Overstated

At 35 years old, Travis Kelce may not be the youngest player on the field, but when the situation demands it, he still showcases the skill level of the top tight ends in the NFL. Whenever Mahomes sought an outlet during Sunday’s game, the reliable veteran tight end consistently found space for vital receptions and conversions.

Kelce led the Chiefs in receptions with 10 catches, which is a remarkable six more than the next closest target, accumulating 90 yards and finally scoring his first touchdown of the season. Considering it’s Week 8, this long-awaited moment was particularly gratifying for the future Hall of Famer.

“If you asked anyone on the team, they’d tell you that Travis would want to score a touchdown even more than anyone else would,” Mahomes commented. “That’s just the kind of player he is. He was able to score in a tight window, making a significant catch.”

Mahomes skillfully threaded the ball between three defenders, and I believe this performance signifies that with Kelce involved, the floodgates for success are officially open.

Explore More Insights in This Edition

• Pete Sweeney shares two additional insights on the Chiefs’ Week 8 victory over the Raiders.
• Jared Sapp emphasizes the defensive stand that played a crucial role in this significant AFC West win.
• In his initial review of game footage, Ron Kopp analyzes how the early performance of DeAndre Hopkins will impact the upcoming weeks.

Exclusive Preview of the Editors Show

Here’s a glimpse from last week’s Editors Show, featuring insights from Pete Sweeney and John Dixon.

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• Brandon Kiley is back as a Tuesday contributor. Here’s a snippet from his recent insights:

If every single team in the NFL was available for you to choose from, and you had to select one that you trust most on a week-to-week basis, who would you choose?

Would you opt for the Washington Commanders’ dynamic offense led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels? Or perhaps you favor the Detroit Lions’ balanced offensive strategy? Maybe you’re leaning towards Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings’ exceptionally strong defense.

Not me. I’m choosing the team I believe has showcased the best defense in the NFL since the start of last season.

Give me the Kansas City Chiefs defense.

The Chiefs entered Monday Night Football ranked fifth in the league for scoring defense, allowing only 17 points per game. However, this statistic alone does not fully capture the impressive strength of the Chiefs defense throughout the first six weeks of the season.

• In our Thursday preview newsletter, Pete shares three key insights heading into the game, Rocky Magaña highlights a crucial matchup to watch, and John Dixon provides background on one of the most significant storylines for the upcoming game.

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