After a worrying 1-2 start, the Kansas City Chiefs have once again established themselves as the perennial AFC contenders that they are. They now stand 3rd with 5-3 in the AFC West. Then again, there’s still a long way to go in the season, and according to Hall of Famer and former Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, Andy Reid‘s team may not be quite as invincible just yet. 

“I think this year the Chiefs are vulnerable,” Allen said on the Up & Adams Show, when host Kay Adams asked him if any team could break the Chiefs’ dominance in the AFC. “I’ll be honest, the beating they put on the Lions was impressive… They got healthy, and they look good, but again, the Broncos know how to beat it. The Broncos’ defense, that front seven of the Broncos are a killer. They’re sacking quarterbacks at a clip that I haven’t seen in many years.” 

The Denver Broncos‘ defense leads the league in both total sacks (36) and sack yards (217). But while Allen thinks they are the most likely to knock the Chiefs off their AFC throne, he had to concede that once the Chiefs get to the playoffs, they play a different game.

“The team that has the best chance to knock them off is Denver, but the Chiefs are still top of the AFC. Either way, you win the division or you get into the wild card, and when the Chiefs are in the playoffs, they are tough to beat,” Allen added.

The LA Chargers, who beat the Chiefs in Week 1, are the other team that could ruin the AFC for the Chiefs, according to Allen. And the key could be QB Justin Herbert, who completed 25 of his 34 passes for 318 yards and three scores in that game.

“If Herbert comes out and plays like he has the last couple of weeks, you know, that’s a tough team,” Allen added. “And they have the confidence of beating them.”

Well, Allen’s assessment is definitely not without its merit. But neither is the claim that the Chiefs have got their groove back.

Chiefs’ commanding win signals legitimate momentum

The Kansas City Chiefs delivered a dominant performance in Week 8, in what was a rather one-sided game that left the Washington Commanders’ head coach frustrated. Tight end Travis Kelce had his best game of the season in the 28-7 win, completing six receptions for 99 yards.

Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes, despite being intercepted on each of his first two drives for the first time in his career, finished the game having completed 25 of 34 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns.

The Chiefs converted both of their fourth-down attempts and are now 14 of 16 on the same under Mahomes this season. That is, in fact, the highest success rate among teams with at least 10 attempts.

The Commanders’ defense was thrown off balance by the running offense, which added 148 yards on 30 carries at a rate of 4.9 yards per carry.

Washington’s rushing attack was restricted to only 60 yards on 20 carries at an average of 3.0 yards per carry by the Chiefs, who also forced two interceptions. Following an even more dominant 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, this was their third consecutive victory.

“We have a lot of weapons. We have a lot of guys and they all love each other, and they want each other to succeed,” Mahomes said after their victory over the Raiders. 

Their “weapons” will be tested when they face Buffalo Bills in Week 9 before taking on the Denver Broncos in Week 11.