Winning Ugly: Chiefs Staying Grounded

A Different Team this Year

After an unexpected loss to start the season against the Colts, the Chiefs have managed to win the next six games. But this year's team is a little different from previous years. They are winning games even when they don't play their best.

Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has yet to reach 400 yards passing in a game this season, and he's thrown 5 interceptions after only totaling 13 in the previous two seasons combined.

But a lot has changed in those two years; Tyreek Hill no longer plays in Kansas City, and the Chiefs have changed their playstyle to suit their superstar quarterback's strengths.

Chiefs Relying on the Run Game

Through 7 games this season, the Chiefs have the 13th most passing yards in the NFL but the 4th most rushing yards per game. The Chiefs have used running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and rookie Isiah Pacheco to lead the ground attack and own the 3rd highest yards-per-carry average in the NFL

The revamped and retooled Chiefs offense has a lot of new faces and a new identity. The Chiefs have the 12th-lowest pass percentage in the NFL this season, and while their offense isn't as explosive as it was in years past, it is much more efficient through the first seven games.

After the first seven games, the Chiefs are on pace for a 13-4 regular season record. They have the league's easiest remaining schedule on paper, so a 14-3 record isn't unrealistic for the Chiefs.