When Patrick Mahomes burst onto the scene as the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, it appeared as if a dynasty was in the making. Kansas City then went on win a Super Bowl, and were also in the title game a season ago.
The question wasn’t when the next championship would come for the Chiefs, but just how many titles would Mahomes win in his career? Through seven weeks in 2021, that narrative has changed completely.
Kansas City enters Week 8 with a record of 3-4, and it appears as if they are in serious danger of missing out on the playoffs completely. The AFC West Division has started to catch up to the Chiefs, and the Los Angeles Chargers are now on top of the standings.
Many people around the league are already wondering if the “Dynasty” has ended in Kansas City as they are no longer one of the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl. While this take might be a bit premature, there are certainly plenty of question marks surrounding the team.
Now Kansas City could still go on to win the AFC West and reach the playoffs this season, but there are teams that just appear to be better. The Chiefs have certainly regressed a bit from the last two years, but the rest of the league has also caught up in a hurry.
You have to wonder how much longer head coach Andy Reid is going to continue leading the team, especially if things continue to trend in the wrong direction. This team still has some of the most talented players in the league under contract, but the supporting cast could use some work.
Defense is a Disaster
The biggest issue facing the Kansas City Chiefs this season is on the defensive side of the ball. Kansas City has given up 29 points per game this season, and that just isn’t going to get the job done.
It was the defense that cost the Chiefs a chance at a second straight Super Bowl, and that unit has been a mess at times in 2021. Kansas City has faced a loaded schedule so far this season, but they are also going to face talented teams in the postseason if they get there.
Unless the Chiefs are able to make some big moves to land new defensive players, it’s hard to see this team getting much better on that side of the ball.
Mahomes Facing Questions For First Time
Everything has come so easy for Patrick Mahomes since he came into the NFL, and he has put up eye-popping stats to begin his career. Mahomes has been playing loose and carefree, and that style has served him well up to this point.
That hasn’t been the case this season for Mahomes as he has already thrown nine interceptions. Mahomes has continued to take those big risks this season, but they haven’t been paying off for him.
There is now some real pressure on the shoulders of Mahomes for the first time in his career, and it will be interesting to see how he responds.
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