Week 15 NFL power rankings roundup: Chiefs remain stable following Bills’ defeat
We might have anticipated the Kansas City Chiefs to fall in the power rankings following Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills after witnessing the team’s supporters set a new two-day world record for playing back NFL film clips in which offside penalties are not called. After all, we heard the fans go crazy after the team suffered its third straight set of back-to-back losses under Patrick Mahomes. However, the majority of writers recalled that Kansas City was only a 1.5-point favorite at kickoff; a three-point loss wasn’t shocking, even though it would have consequences for the postseason. After Week 14, the Chiefs are unchanged in all but two of the rankings we’re keeping an eye on.
When was the last time, following a defeat like they did on Sunday, that you heard Andy Reid or Patrick Mahomes contest an official’s (right) call? It was strange to hear two of the best players in the NFL argue that Reid should have been warned by the referee that Kadarius Toney was lining up offside when, in reality, Toney should have checked with the line judge on that one. Do you want to complain that there was no late call against the Green Bay Packers? Please come visit me. Go ahead and do it. However, for a team that has been the league’s best organization for the last five years, Sunday’s complaint felt petty and desperate.
Reid deserves credit for changing his mind on Monday and stating that Toney should have consulted the official. The fact remains that Kansas City’s issues extend far beyond an occasional bad call. A promising march was ended by Mahomes’ opening-drive selection, and the defending MVP isn’t playing well at the moment. The defense that has supported this team for the majority of the season is neither. Given the current trajectory, Mahomes could be looking at his first away playoff game.
From a part-timer who saw action in just one-third of the snaps during Week 1, the rookie has developed into the Chiefs’ only reliable wide receiver. In the last three games, Rice has 23 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns. During that same period, the other wide receivers have combined for 16 catches for 147 yards and one touchdown. When the Chiefs had a slim lead in the fourth quarter of a Week 12 game against the Raiders, they went to Rice in a number of crucial situations. Rice scored on a 39-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
