Chiefs fall hard in some Week 4 NFL power rankings

A few still believe Kansas City’s losses have been uncharacteristic — but some don’t.

At least once a season, we have to remind ourselves of Bill Parcells’ famous words: “You are what your record says you are.” As far as the Kansas City Chiefs are concerned, that seems to be what’s driving many of their positions in the Week 4 NFL power rankings.

Here’s our weekly sampling:

NFL.com: 6

(down from 2)

In Week 2 against the Ravens, it was a Clyde Edwards-Helaire fumble that set up a tough loss. On Sunday against the Chargers, turnovers once again served as Kansas City’s downfall. The Chiefs lost two fumbles and Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions in a 30-24 loss to the Chargers at Arrowhead. Kansas City will turn the calendar to October in last place in the AFC West — with three extremely frisky teams ahead of them in the standings. There was more bad news after the game, when we learned Andy Reid was transported to the hospital after falling ill. The trip to the hospital was precautionary, but any Reid absence from the sideline would stand as another imposing obstacle for the defending conference champs.

— Dan Hanzus

ESPN: 10

(down from 3)

Team QBR: 76.1
QBR rank: 4th

The Chiefs’ record doesn’t reflect it, but Patrick Mahomes has played well given a new offensive line and a defense that has been consistently dismal. His touchdown (nine) to interception (three) ratio of 3-1 would be the lowest of his career. On the interceptions, he was guilty twice of trying to force a play, and the other was tipped by a receiver and should have been caught. There is definitely room for improvement for Mahomes and the team as a whole.

— Adam Teicher

Sports Illustrated: 8

(down from 3)

Imagine there will be some quibbling with this one. But my choice here speaks to the overall point I’m trying to make: that seasons are about way more than one game, or even three. Yes, the Chiefs defense looks shaky. Yes, teams that have lost the Super Bowl in recent years tend to have poor seasons the year after. But come on! The Chiefs lost a close game to Jackson and the Ravens. They lost another close game to the surging Chargers. In both games, they had more than a good chance to win late. I buy coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and believe he will improve that defense over the course of the season, same as he has in the Chiefs last two playoff runs. If he doesn’t, Kansas City’s floundering dynasty might be in trouble. If he does, well, two words complete the rest of the necessary answer: Patrick Mahomes. That’s why the Chiefs are eighth with two losses, ahead of all the undefeated teams but one.

— Greg Bishop

CBSSports.com: 12

(down from 5)

They have to stop turning the ball over like they did against the Chargers. It’s hard to believe they are 1-2 after three weeks, but it’s the first time with Patrick Mahomes they are under .500. Amazing.

— Pete Prisco

Yahoo! Sports: 9

(down from 4)

It’s weird to see the Chiefs in last place of the AFC West. There’s no reason to panic yet. They’ve lost two very close games. The defense needs to improve and they’ll need to figure out options on offense other than Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, but the Chiefs are still a Super Bowl contender. They just might not be the big favorite we thought they were. Still, dropping them too far in these rankings would look foolish in about a month.

— Frank Schwab

The Sporting News: 10

(down from 3)

The Chiefs have gotten away with poor defense once against the Browns, but that plus an uncharacteristic glut of turnovers has them under .500 for the first time with Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City will be fine long term, but Cleveland and Buffalo will keep putting pressure near the top.

— Vinnie Iyer

USA Today: 10

(down from 3)

They’re this close to being 3-0. They’re also this close to being 0-3. What Kansas City currently is is a last-place club for the first time in QB Patrick Mahomes’ career.

— Nate Davis

The Washington Post: 14

(down from 5)

The last-place Kansas City Chiefs? Who knew it was even possible? They let a winnable game slip away Sunday at home against the Chargers, just as they let a winnable game slip away the previous Sunday night in Baltimore. There’s plenty of time for QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to regroup. Maybe they had become a bit too confident and too comfortable that they would do just enough, week after week, to find a way in crunchtime to win.

— Mark Maske

Mile High Report: 10

(down from 5)

At least two of the AFC West teams are going to end up being frauds. For now, we’ll say they’ll be the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. Another team in the Top 10 I think will end up bring frauds are the Carolina Panthers.

— Tim Lynch