Currently the hottest team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs are showing the world why they are the best overall team in the NFL in various ways – some ways expected, and other ways unexpected. A 3-0 start for the Chiefs ties them with the Atlanta Falcons for the best record in the NFL. An undefeated start was not handed to the Chiefs without multiple challenging battles. A win in New England, at home against the Eagles, and against divisional rival Los Angeles Chargers gives the Chiefs three tough victories that may come in handy come playoff race time. From week one to week three, there have been some key observations from the successful undefeated record.
Five Observations From the First Three Weeks of the Kansas City Chiefs Season
1) It’s Kareem Hunt’s World – And We Are All Just Living In It
Kareem Hunt is among the top running backs in the NFL right now, if not the best altogether. Through three games, Hunt has flashed his full potential as a rookie. One way to look at it is, Hunt has only played three professional games, and still has room to grow.
To this point in the season, Hunt has carried the ball 47 times, with 401 rushing yards. With these numbers, he’s currently averaging 8.5 yards per carry, the highest mark in the league. Ever since the fumble in New England, Hunt has elevated his game to unheard of rookie heights.
Adding another weapon on the offensive side of the football for Kansas City is fun for Chiefs Kingdom, but it adds nightmare matchups for opposing teams trying to shut down their versatile skill position players.
2) Alex Smith Is In Rare Form
Alex Smith, or “Mr. Conservative,” has played the 2017 season as if his starting spot depends on it, which it does. With a shining rookie in Patrick Mahomes II on the bench waiting to begin his era, Smith has added more pressure to his performance, and success for the franchise.
Smith is in a form that is Hall of Fame caliber with the stats he is putting up. Through his 3-0 start to the season, Smith owns the highest quarterback rating in the NFL at 132.7. He owns this high rating for a reason – 65 completions out of 84 attempts (77.4% completion percentage), along with seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. That doesn’t include his 33 rush yards out of 11 attempts.
If Smith continues with his hot start, and makes a further playoff run, the team may put Mahomes on hold, and allow Smith to stay for one or more seasons. From here on out, studying Smith’s performances will create some interesting situations within the franchise. What the future holds for Smith is murky, especially if he continues his exceptional play in 2017.
3) Versatility Runs Through Kansas City
Within every skill position on the offensive end of the football lies a dominant threat to break free for a touchdown, at any moment of the game offensively. From Albert Wilson to Travis Kelce, the Chiefs offensive firepower is simply the most verssatile offensive team in the league.
For defenses trying to develop a gameplan to shut out every Chiefs offensive weapon, is a headache waiting to happen. With picture perfect roster building in the past, the Chiefs seem to have every offensive advantage against every opponent they face. The New England Patriots could argue that, but remember what happened week one? 42 points against the reigning Super Bowl Champions – no big deal.
4) The Year of the Unexpected Contributors
Alright, who guessed the leading rusher through week three would be Hunt? Who knew undrafted free agent Terrance Mitchell would lead the team in deflections and interceptions? Also, who would have guessed the Chiefs best kick returner on the team is undrafted free agent Akeem Hunt? Not I.
Well, here it is: Kareem Hunt leads the team in rushing yards, Mitchell leads the team in interceptions, and deflections, and Hunt averages around 29 return yards per kickoff. Kansas City seems to always be the team that has the keen eye for finding hidden talent in no-names (Daniel Sorensen, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, Charcandrick West, Albert Wilson, and so on).
For the Chiefs this is a trait that helps boost their capital of success. With all of this talent that was hidden to other teams around the league, with time these names could end up being high dollar names on a roster elsewhere. Without the names listed above, this team could easily not own their 3-0 record.
5) This Team is Legit
The Kansas City Chiefs are making headlines, they are defeating talented teams by two touchdowns or more, and they are just getting started. From the offensive firepower to the defensive hearts, the team is rolling, and it appears there is no slowing them down. Though a tough schedule lies ahead for the Chiefs, expect the wins to keep rolling in. The Chiefs are ready to shock the world, and if the NFL momentum stays in Kansas City – Chiefs Kingdom would like to wish the rest of the league a confident “good luck.”
