The Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) are the hottest team in the AFC with nine consecutive victories, and for the eighth straight week, they have moved up on NFL.com’s weekly Power Rankings.
After their 17-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, they have jumped up three spots—from No. 7 a week ago to No. 4 this week.
From 1-5 to 10-5, here's a look at how the historic season for the Chiefs has been reflected in their NFL.com Power Ranking.
|
Week |
Date |
Record |
Rank |
|
1 |
September 8 |
0-0 |
No. 7 |
|
2 |
September 15 |
1-0 |
No. 4 |
|
3 |
September 22 |
1-1 |
No. 6 |
|
4 |
September 29 |
1-2 |
No. 12 |
|
5 |
October 6 |
1-3 |
No. 17 |
|
6 |
October 13 |
1-4 |
No. 25 |
|
7 |
October 20 |
1-5 |
No. 30 |
|
8 |
October 27 |
2-5 |
No. 27 |
|
9 |
November 3 (BYE) |
2-5 |
No. 23 |
|
10 |
November 10 |
3-5 |
No. 24 |
|
11 |
November 17 |
4-5 |
No. 22 |
|
12 |
November 24 |
5-5 |
No. 13 |
|
13 |
December 1 |
6-5 |
No. 10 |
|
14 |
December 8 |
7-5 |
No. 9 |
|
15 |
December 15 |
8-5 |
No. 8 |
|
16 |
December 22 |
9-5 |
No. 7 |
|
17 |
December 29 |
10-5 |
No. 4 |
The biggest jump for the Chiefs came after their 33-3 win over the Chargers back in Week 11, when they went from No. 22 all the way up to No. 13 in that next week's ranking. Four of their five losses this season came against teams currently ranked in the Top 11. (Click here for full rankings)
In regards to the AFC, the only team currently ahead of the Chiefs is the New England Patriots (No. 3).
The Chiefs face the Oakland Raiders (7-8) on Sunday, who come in at No. 13 according to these latest rankings.
With a win on Sunday, the Chiefs could win the AFC West division for the first time since 2010 if the San Diego Chargers are able to knock off the Denver Broncos.
Postgame facts and stats from the Chiefs Week 16 victory over the Browns
PLAYOFF BOUND: With a win over Cleveland today combined with a Pittsburgh loss at Baltimore, the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot, becoming just the second team in NFL history to start 1-5 and make the playoffs in the same season, joining the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.
HISTORIC WINNING STREAK: After losing five consecutive games from Sept. 17, 2015 to Oct. 18, 2015, the Chiefs have won nine consecutive contests from Oct. 25, 2015 through today's victory. Kansas City becomes the only team in NFL history to win nine consecutive games following a five- game losing streak. The Chiefs nine-game win streak is tied for the longest winning streak in franchise history, with two other such streaks occurring in 2003 and 2013. Two of the three longest streaks (2013 & 2015) were under the leadership of Head Coach Andy Reid.
REID CONTINUES TO WIN: With today's win over the Cleveland Browns, Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid owns 170 career wins (regular and postseason), which ties former Cleveland head coach and Browns namesake Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul Brown. His 30 wins in his first three seasons leading the Chiefs are the most by any Kansas City coach in his first three seasons.
ANOTHER 10-WIN SEASON: With today's win, the Chiefs have their second 10-win season in the past three years and it marks the 17th 10-win season in franchise history. With the win, Head Coach Andy Reid has recorded his second 10-win season in three years with the Chiefs. The only head coaches in Chiefs history with more 10-win seasons are Marty Schottenheimer and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram.
SMITH CONTINUES TO CLIMB CHARTS: Smith had six carries for 54 yards in today's contest, including a 29-yard rush, marking the second-longest rush in his career. Smith has 437 rushing yards this season, which sets a personal single-season career-high, as well as ranks first among quarterbacks in Chiefs history. Smith owns the top two spots on that list. His 75 rushes are the second most in a single season in his career as well as rank second among all Chiefs QBs in a single season. Smith also owns the top mark for rushing attempts in a season with 76 in 2013. Smith finished the day completing 15 of his 22 passes for 125 yards and two TDs, giving him 3,330 passing yards this season, which mark his single-season career best. His three best single-season passing totals have come in his three seasons with the Chiefs.
MACLIN SCORES ON OPENING DRIVE: WR Jeremy Maclin caught an 11-yard TD pass from QB Alex Smith, capping an 11-play, 65-yard drive, marking the seventh time this season the offense has scored on its opening drive. The Chiefs are 6-1 in those contests.
MACLIN TALLIES 1,000 RECEIVING YARDS: WR Jeremy Maclin finished the game with five catches for 49 yards and one TD, giving him 1,034 receiving yards on 84 receptions for the season. It marks his second career 1,000-yard receiving season after recording 1,318 receiving yards last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the first Chiefs 1,000-yard receiver since Dwayne Bowe had 1,159 receiving yards in 2011. Maclin has seven receiving touchdowns this season, the most touchdown receptions by a Chiefs player since RB Jamaal Charles had seven receiving scores in 2013. His seven touchdown receptions are the most for a Chiefs wide receiver since Dwayne Bowe led the NFL with 15 touchdown receptions in 2010.
KELCE SCORES: TE Travis Kelce scored his fifth TD this season on a 13-yard connection with QB Alex Smith to give the Chiefs a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. His five receiving scores tie his single-season career-high mark set last season. With 43 yards on six catches, he set career-high numbers today for both catches (70) and receiving yards (864) in a single season. Kelce's 137 career catches are the third most by a tight end in Chiefs history.
SORENSEN BLOCKS FG: S Daniel Sorensen blocked a K Travis Coons FG attempt just before halftime to mark the first blocked field goal for the Chiefs since DE Jared Allen blocked a 49-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal at Indianapolis on November 18, 2007.
PETERS IN THE RECORD BOOK: CB Marcus Peters intercepted QB Johnny Manziel to record his eighth INT this season, which ties Bobby Hunt's rookie record set in 1962. His 25 passes defensed this season rank tied for first with Brandon Carr (2010) in Chiefs history. CB Marcus Peters has 280 return yards on eight interceptions, setting a single-season franchise record for interception return yards. He passed CB Mark McMillian who had 274 yards on eight interceptions in 1997. His 280 interception return yards lead the NFL this season and rank ninth in NFL history for most interception return yards in a single season.
SANTOS 30TH FG IN 2015: K Cairo Santos finished today's game converting a 40-yard field goal giving him 30 made field goals this season, which is tied for second in Chiefs history for most made field goals in a single season. With five points in today's game, K Cairo Santos has 126 points for the 2015 season, making him just the sixth player in Chiefs history to record 125 or more points in a single season. The six players have combined to record seven such seasons, with RB Priest Holmes recording two seasons of 125 or more points. He is the fourth Chiefs placekicker to join the 125-point club, following Jan Stenerud (1968), Nick Lowery (1990) and Lawrence Tynes (2005).
