The Kansas City Chiefs Are Still the Chiefs

2. The Running Game Is Finally Opening Up

For just the second time all season, a running back led the Chiefs in rushing yards, another positive sign that the ground game is starting to open up. The potential with Isiah Pacheco has always been there, as he showed during his rookie season, but after suffering a leg injury last year, he hadn’t quite looked like the same player. But over the last couple of weeks, Pacheco has averaged 4.7 yards per carry and is running with the burst and confidence that made him a breakout star. Combined with Kareem Hunt’s power and the young energy of Brashard Smith, Kansas City’s running back room is beginning to take real shape again.

It’s no coincidence that this improvement has come as the passing game has found its rhythm. Defenses now have to respect the dual nature of the Chiefs’ offense once more, opening opportunities all over the field. The quiet heroes behind this resurgence have been the offensive line — rebuilt in the offseason and performing as one of the best units of the Mahomes era. They’ve not only protected the quarterback at a high level but also opened up lanes between the tackles and controlled the line of scrimmage, bringing balance back to Kansas City’s attack.

3. The Wide Receiver Room Is the Deepest It’s Been in Years

The Achilles’ heel of the Chiefs over the past two seasons has been their misfortune at the wide receiver position — a stretch that directly contributed to Mahomes’ statistical dip. In 2023, it was the infamous drops that haunted Kansas City’s offense, while last season, injuries kept key playmakers sidelined. But for the first time in a long time, it feels like the Chiefs have turned the page on that bad luck. The receiving corps is healthy, productive, and finally showing the kind of depth and balance that had been missing.

Xavier Worthy’s return from injury has been a revelation, giving Kansas City a legitimate speed threat capable of stretching the field and keeping defenses honest. Hollywood Brown has thrived in the slot, highlighted by his career-best two-touchdown performance on Sunday night. JuJu Smith-Schuster is once again finding open space, and Tyquan Thornton has developed a noticeable chemistry with Mahomes. And of course, Travis Kelce remains the steady safety valve that keeps the passing game grounded.

With Rashee Rice set to return from suspension next week, the Chiefs could soon field their full wide receiver core for the first time in over a year, a dangerous prospect for any defense in the league.

4. The Defense Keeps Getting Better Every Week

During the offensive lulls of the Mahomes era, it was Steve Spagnuolo’s defense that often steadied the ship. Over the past two seasons, that unit quietly evolved into one of the most intimidating in the league, physical, disciplined, and capable of winning games on its own. This year, however, the group looked a step slow early on. The pass rush wasn’t generating the same pressure, and the defense as a whole appeared uncharacteristically flat and undisciplined.

All those doubts were put to rest on Sunday night. Facing one of the NFL’s highest-flying offenses, Kansas City held Detroit to just 17 points, barely half their season average, and, just as impressively, committed zero penalties. That kind of discipline is what separates good defenses from great ones. While the pass rush may not be quite as fearsome as in years past, when the Chiefs’ defense plays within its system and lets its stars shine, it remains one of the toughest puzzles any offense will face.

5. There’s No Clear-Cut Juggernaut in the League

Across the AFC there is more parity than ever, and that only plays into Kansas City’s hands. The Ravens, one of the Chiefs’ biggest perceived challengers, are banged up and staring at a 1-5 hole. The Bills remain talented but continue to look shaky on defense, and Kansas City clearly holds a psychological edge over them after years of playoff heartbreak. The Patriots might be building something, but they’re still more of a long-term project than a contender. The Chargers continue to trip over themselves, and Denver’s offense looks anything but stable.

Meanwhile, younger teams like the Colts and Jaguars have flashed potential but still carry an air of inconsistency, the kind that tends to unravel under playoff pressure. The result is a conference without a true powerhouse, a field full of good teams but no great ones. That’s the kind of landscape where experience, coaching, and championship DNA matter most — and the Chiefs have all three.

Conclusion

For all the early-season noise and questions surrounding their 3-3 start, the Kansas City Chiefs look every bit like the contender they’ve always been. Mahomes is back to playing at an MVP level, the running game is finally complementing the passing attack, and the receiving corps is deeper and more versatile than it’s been in years. Add in a disciplined defense that continues to improve each week, and the Chiefs once again resemble the complete team that has dominated the AFC for over half a decade.

In a season where no other team has truly separated itself from the pack, Kansas City’s experience, balance, and championship pedigree stand out even more. They’ve been here before — weathering early doubts only to surge when it matters most. So while the record may say 3-3, the film and the feel say something entirely different. The Chiefs are still the Chiefs, and everyone else knows it.