In our “Let’s Argue” series, our Mark Gunnels considers the hot takes, wacky predictions and unpopular opinions of Kansas City Chiefs fans from all over the world.
Even at 3-3, this might be the best Chiefs team of the Mahomes era
This is certainly a hot take — but it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.
The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls during Mahomes’ time as the starter, which means any discussion about the best team starts there. Of those three championship squads, I’d say the 2019 team — the first one — was the best.
Mahomes was still in his athletic prime, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were at their peaks and Chris Jones was dominating the interior. That team was fast, fearless and fun.
Outside of those Super Bowl teams, you could argue the 2020 team was even better. The core remained intact, Mahomes was more seasoned — and if not for the offensive line falling apart in Super Bowl LV, Kansas City could have won that game.
Looking at this year’s team, the potential is there for it to be the best of them all. Offensively, this is the deepest collection of pass catchers Mahomes has ever had. The real question is how high the defense can climb.
If the defense finishes inside the top 10, there’s no reason this team can’t win it all again.
This 3-3 team would obliterate 2024’s squad
I agree with this one.
Let’s face it: the 2024 Chiefs won a lot of games, but also had a lot of luck on their side. Both things can be true.
I can’t recall another team that week-to-week, found so many new, dramatic ways to win than last year’s Kansas City squad. The offense was tough to watch, so the defense and special teams carried the load. Deep down, you always felt like things would catch up with them — and in the Super Bowl, they finally did.
This year’s defense might not be as good, but it’s still strong. It completely shut down Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens — and held the Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense to only 17 points. Meanwhile, the offense is miles better than last year’s. Mahomes is the MVP favorite — and he’s been doing it all without Rashee Rice, who returns to play the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
The Chiefs’ pass rush could become the reason they don’t win
This could absolutely be the case.
The team’s biggest flaw is a lack of consistent pass rush. And I don’t care what advanced stat says otherwise: if you’re watching the games, it’s obvious how much time opposing quarterbacks have in the pocket.
Sure… the defense can generate pressure when coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dials up Cover 0 blitzes, but you can’t live in that world forever. Elite defenses get pressure with four.
What makes it even more frustrating is that Chris Jones consistently draws double teams — and despite this, the other guys on the line aren‘t winning their one-on-one matchups.
A move at the trade deadline.
Harrison Butker needs to go
The frustration is understandable.
Kansas City’s placekicker has made at least one mistake in every single game this season — either a missed kick or a kickoff that sails out of bounds.
Kickers are a lot like golfers: it’s all about rhythm, routine, and confidence. Often, the problem isn’t physical — it’s mental.
It’s hard to know exactly what’s going on with Butker, but the Chiefs need him to work through it and find his rhythm again. One clean, mistake-free game could go a long way toward restoring his (and our) confidence.
