Chiefs Aren't That Good This Year

Las Vegas stomped the Kansas City Chiefs. The 40-32 score inaccurately indicates an even game. Vegas had its way.

Kansas City is flawed. Last year's Super Bowl run showed so.

In each playoff win, Kansas City fell behind double-digits and forced Patrick Mahomes to pull off magic. Most weeks, that works. Last year in the playoffs, it was enough against a self-destructing Bill O'Brien, mediocre Ryan Tannehill, and inaccurate Jimmy Garoppolo. Good luck drawing that path again.

Through five weeks, three times the champs have been average or below.

Opening night, Kansas City played fine against the dreadful Houston Texans. Whatever.

Week 2, thanks to kicker Harrison Butker's ridiculous 58-yard field goal, the Chiefs survived in overtime against Justin Herbert. The Chargers' rookie is talented, but in his first-ever game, finding out he was starting seconds before kickoff — he outplayed Mahomes.

In addition, Kansas City's putrid defense gave up 183 rushing yards.

Week 3's win is the exception. The Chiefs outplayed the Ravens and were close to dominant. But last week, right on schedule — back to average they went.

If Cam Newton had played last week, the Chiefs lose that game. Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham were a gift to the Chiefs' defense.

Sunday, it all caught up. Las Vegas outplayed Kansas City on both sides of the ball. The defense turned Derek Carr into Aaron Rodgers. In the first half, Carr threw for three touchdowns on 11-13 passing.

Giving up nearly 500 yards, nothing so far today has been as pathetic as the Chiefs' defense (Cowboys are on now).

Football experts call Kansas City prohibitive favorites; right now, it is not a top team.

Green Bay is clearly No. 1. These Packers are firing on all cylinders and blowing out teams weekly. Head-to-head, Kansas City isn't stopping Aaron Rodgers, with or without his weapons.

In the AFC, both the Bills and Steelers are clicking on higher levels. Though Kansas City is in Baltimore's head, the Ravens are the better team.

Mahomes and crew want nothing to do with a Cam Newton-led Patriots. Or Indianapolis' defense. If Kansas City can't fix its run-defense, it's not stopping Cleveland.

Buffalo awaits with a favorable matchup. Kansas City should be concerned.