Chiefs in search of historical past towards Chargers on SNF
With a win on Sunday evening, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs can all however formally clinch the AFC West, placing them on the sting of unbelievable historical past.
A division-clinching win earlier than Thanksgiving? Effectively, no, however shut.
If the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs earn a season sweep of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Evening Soccer, they’ll take a three-game divisional lead, with a tiebreaker, having solely seven video games to play.
Barring an all-time meltdown, the AFC West could be Kansas Metropolis’s as soon as extra.
The historic context of such a feat is absurd.
If the Chiefs win the West, it’ll be their seventh consecutive division title. The one groups to match such longevity are the 1973-79 Los Angeles Rams of the NFC West, and the New England Patriots who gained 11 straight AFC East crowns from 2009-19.
Whereas New England’s streak is clearly the all-time commonplace, Kansas Metropolis is authoring its case as probably the most domineering groups of the wage cap period.
No franchise had ever hosted 4 consecutive convention title video games earlier than the Chiefs did so final season. At present, Patrick Mahomes and Co. are the AFC’s high seed as soon as extra, sitting at 7-2 with the second-easiest remaining schedule.
After all, every little thing begins inside the AFC West.
For the reason that division streak started in 2016, Kansas Metropolis has gone an unfathomable 33-5 dealing with the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos and Chargers, together with an ideal report towards Denver. Since Mahomes took over because the beginning quarterback in ’18, the Chiefs haven’t misplaced a highway divisional recreation.
That is largely attributable to move coach Andy Reid, who every spring and summer season spends additional time engaged on installs particularly for division opponents. The additional work has paid off.
Nonetheless, the Chiefs have to complete off their newest potential crown. They’re two video games forward of the Chargers, and after beating them 27-24 in Week 2, have ensured no less than a head-to-head cut up. In the meantime, the Raiders and Broncos are non-factors, combating for third place.
Looking at 538’s model, Kansas Metropolis has a 96 % probability of profitable the AFC West. If the Chiefs lose to the Chargers on Sunday, they nonetheless sit at 88 %. Nonetheless, their Tremendous Bowl odds, that are presently at 21 % — no person else is above 12 % — would leap 4 factors, relying upon different leads to Week 11.
In right this moment’s warp-speed information cycle, accomplishments typically get forgotten with each Twitter timeline refresh. The world strikes on faster than ever.
But ought to Kansas Metropolis beat Los Angeles this weekend, we should always pause to appreciate what is occurring.
The Chiefs have modified quarterbacks and normal managers throughout this run. They handled a possible Corridor of Fame signal-caller Philip Rivers for 3 seasons, and now face Justin Herbert in the identical uniform. They fought off a reigning Tremendous Bowl champion in ’16, and topped two 12-4 challengers.
Coming into 2022, the AFC West was imagined to be one of many biggest divisions ever. Three of the groups loaded up particularly to take down Kansas Metropolis, and every have flopped to various levels. The Chiefs stay the Chiefs in all varieties.
Kansas Metropolis, which gained seven division titles from the ’70 AFL-NFL merger till this present streak, is now verging on seven straight. In a league with a system constructed to tear down greatness and set up parity throughout 32 groups, Kansas Metropolis has defied all obstacles.
The Chiefs gained’t clinch the AFC West earlier than Thanksgiving.
However with a win Sunday evening, the AFC West can be all however cooked as soon as extra.
