The Chiefs aren’t bad, they’re just not special anymore.
There’s been a shift in our weekly power rankings for the first time since the season began. The Kansas City Chiefs are no longer No. 1, and the Detroit Lions have vaulted to become the top team in the NFL.
At first glance this might make no sense. After all, the Chiefs are still the only undefeated team left in the NFL — while the Lions are 8-1. However, there’s a level of doubt creeping in with the quality of performance the Chiefs are turning in that’s causing some of us to faith in their ability to claim the mantle of best team in the league.
Over the past three weeks Kansas City has struggled to mount single-score wins against the likes of the Buccaneers, Raiders, and Broncos. Meanwhile the Lions continue to embarrass opponents who are clearly worse, and save their close performances against the Vikings and Texans, both of whom are still inside the Top 10 of our power rankings.
Here’s out full methodology this week, and what changes since our last set of rankings.