The Kansas City Chiefs (7-1) are trying to make history. They're looking to become just the ninth repeat Super Bowl champs and the first since the Patriots in 2003-04.
The Chiefs' 7-1 record puts them just a half-game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC, and with a +101 margin of victory, Kansas City again looks poised to make a Super Bowl run.
But the Chiefs haven't necessarily faced a gauntlet of strong competition. They have impressive road wins at Baltimore and Buffalo, but their opponent winning percentage of .397 gives them the third-easiest schedule in the NFL through eight weeks.
Mahomes and Ma-homies
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his array of offensive weapons deservedly get the spotlight in every game. Kansas City ranks top five in the league in average net yards (410.5, 4th), average net passing yards (286.4, 4th), third-down conversion percentage (49.5, t-3rd), average points scored (31.6, 3rd) and average point differential (12.6, 1st).
The Chiefs have had 61 "big plays" or rushes of 10+ yards or receptions of 20+ yards, ranking third in the league. Their eight touchdowns of 20+ yards are second behind Seattle (10).
Mahomes has 2,315 passing yards (2nd), 21 passing touchdowns (2nd), just one interception (1st) and a passer rating of 115.0 (2nd). At the season's midway point, he and Seattle's Russell Wilson are neck and neck for the MVP race.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is second in the league with eight total TDs on 537 receiving yards, while Travis Kelce is eighth with 610 receiving yards, the most among tight ends.
Seeing Red
The Chiefs' ability to score inside the 10-yard line is stuff of legend. Over the last three seasons, Kansas City has scored points on 81 of 82 goal-to-go drives, including 63 touchdowns. That 98.7 scoring percentage leads the league over that time frame.
This year, the Chiefs have TDs on 14-of-17 goal-to-go drives and are scoring TDs on 82.4 percent of red-zone trips.
A big part of that is Kansas City's elaborate play-calling in short fields with misdirections, underhanded shovel passes and linemen leaking out into the flat.
Eight different offensive players have scored touchdowns in goal-to-go scenarios for the Chiefs this year, third-most in the NFL.
No-Fly Zone
Kansas City ranks third in the NFL with just 201.3 net passing yards allowed. They have allowed opponent passers to average a rating of just 76.8, second-lowest in the league.
Safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen both have two interceptions, while Sorensen is 13th among all secondary players with 47 tackles.
Kansas City has nine total interceptions, tied for third-most in the NFL. The team's 14 takeaways are tied for tops in the NFL.
Weaknesses?
- The Chiefs have allowed 142.8 rushing yards per game, fourth-worst in the NFL. Six different opposing rushers have gained at least 70 yards in Kansas City's eight games.
- Although the Chiefs have allowed limited opponents to 11 sacks, they've given up 67 pressures which is 14th-worst in the league.
- The Chiefs have averaged just +00:34 in time of possession, tied with Carolina for 15th.
Carolina is 2-4 all-time in six meetings with Kansas City through the years.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a touchdown catch in front of Side Judge Ron Torbert (62) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Rickey Proehl (81) gets past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber to gain 18 yards during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers won the game, 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, MARCH 9-10 - FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2012, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Thomas (22) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The new group in charge of the Chiefs is going right to work, making bold moves to turn around a franchise that went 2-14 last season. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley, File)
Carolina Panthers free safety Haruki Nakamura (43) lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 in Kansas City, MO. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs runningback Jamaal Charles (25) gets tripped up as Carolina Panthers Sione Fua (94) Luke Kuechly (59) and Greg Hardy (76) defend during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 27-21. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
El safety de los Panthers de Carolina Haruki Nakamura (43) salta sobre una pila de jugadores ante los Chiefs de Kansas City en el partido de la NFL el domingo 2 de diciembre de 2012. (AP Foto/Ed Zurga)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton gets past Kansas City Chiefs defenders during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Willams (34) and Steve Smith (89) celebrate a touchdown in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs past Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in a trap in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart runs for yardage in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) reaches the ball across the goal line while tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jalil Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs' Pat Thomas chases Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis (40) is knocked out of bounds short of the goal line by Carolina Panthers strong safety Charles Godfrey (30) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers celebrates in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams after scoring a touchdown in an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez (88) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Jon Beason, right, after a catch in the second quarter in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Kansas City Chief's quarterback Elvis Grbac (11) goes to pass as Carolina Panthers' Lamar Lathon (57) closes in during the second quarter of the Chiefs' 35-14 win NFL at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Sept. 21, 1997. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) and Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrate William's second touchdown during their 34-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) drags Kansas City Chiefs' Brandon Carr (39) while crossing the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Panthers' 34-0 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Kansas City Chiefs' DaJuan Morgan (38) pursues. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is trailed by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Dexter McCleon (22) as he runs the ball for 71 yards in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. Foster followed the play with a three yard run for a touchdown. The Panthers won the game 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers tight end Kris Mangum (86) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Kawika Mitchell (50) walks off following the touchdown. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) congragulates wide receiver Keary Colbert after Delhomme threw Colbert a 9 yard pass for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. The Panthers won the game 28-17. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers running back DeShaun Foster (26) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Shawn Barber (59) after gaining 16 yards in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004 in Kansas City, Mo. Foster ran for 174 yards leading the Panthers to a 28-17 win over Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
Carolina Panthers against Kansas City Chiefs on November 13, 2016
