The Kansas City Chiefs again managed to grind out a tight win, this time 19-17 over the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium to move to 12-1 on the season. It was yet another game where the defense played to its usual high standards, but the offense stuttered and spluttered until it was go-time in the fourth quarter. It marks the fourth time this season that the Chiefs offense has scored under 20 points, and with a host of weapons at Patrick Mahomes’ disposal, it is hard to fathom that the 2024 version of Kansas City has the 11th-ranked offense in football.

But what can make the Chiefs offense become a juggernaut again? “I think just got to be able to hit some of these explosive plays,” Mahomes said. “I think that’s probably the biggest thing, once you do that it opens up everything else. It seems like we stall out on drives on little things, and I’ve said that all year long but it is close, I truly believe we are. It’s just about finding a way to prove it on the football field on Sundays, and then we can go into the playoffs with some momentum.”

Out of the Chiefs’ 12 wins, 10 have been by one score, so they are getting tight and tense games that they have an uncanny knack of winning, which is great preparation for the playoffs. Related: Chiefs Survive Another Nail-Biter vs. Chiefs For some, the Chiefs’ “luck” will eventually run out, but when you have been in those pressure moments more than most, it’s easier to execute when the time comes.

The Chiefs locked up the AFC West (again) and now have four games left to navigate before the postseason, and maybe that offensive explosion is just around the corner.