The 2025-26 season for the Kansas City Chiefs started off on a bumpy note in the aftermath of a 40-22 defeat in Super Bowl LIX by the Philadelphia Eagles. This had put a hold on the Chiefs’ chase for an unparalleled third consecutive Super Bowl victory. Despite this setback, the Chiefs maintained their stature among prognosticators, owing to their impressive record of winning three of the preceding six Super Bowl championships.
At the onset of the season, four teams stood out with an anticipated preseason win total of 11.5 – Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and the Eagles. The Chiefs headed into their first match with Super Bowl odds of +800, minutely following the odds of +700 for the other three teams. This placed Chiefs in the high probability zone for making it to the postseason, going by the AFC odds.
However, the initial phase of the season took an unexpected shift for the Chiefs with two consecutive losses. The first defeat came against the Chargers in Brazil with a score of 27-21 in the opening week, followed by a close 20-17 home loss to the Eagles. This unusual start of 0-2 left the Chiefs navigating uncharted waters.
Reflecting on the games of the preceding season, the Chiefs had managed to pull off several tight-margin victories, despite not standing out as a remarkable 15-2 team. The opponents they’ve competed against this season are by no means easy contenders. With the anticipated return of Rashee Rice, it’s plausible the Chiefs could revitalize their playoff dreams as they still have the Mahomes factor in their corner.
Bookmakers, despite the rocky start, are not excessively worried about the potential course of the Chiefs’ season. The power rating of Kansas City did witness a dip, as emphasized by five odds compilers. Several of these also mentioned the potential boost with Rice’s return from a six-game suspension, and a need for the team to step up its rushing attack to assist Mahomes, now shouldering the team with 123 rush yards under his belt.
The absence of a reliable run game in the Chiefs’ matches has been a crucial observation so far. Interpretations begin to surface, hinting at a possible shift to employing more 12 or 13 personals in their strategy, implying a fresher impetus on their running game. This strategic adjustment would pave the way for more options for Mahomes, and potentially enable a more balanced offensive approach.
Insiders have pointed out that improved overall performance from their division is another significant factor that the Chiefs need to contend with. Assessments by seasoned sports-betting experts have underlined the impact of limited offensive weapons for the Chiefs in their initial defeats. With dwindling explosive play numbers (ranking 27th in the previous year), and two years of less than stellar offensive performance, the Chiefs have some ground to cover.
Less apparent—though significant—is the deterioration in the effectiveness of Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit. The current metrics indicate a demoralizing picture: 25th in DVOA, 26th in EPA per play, and the lowest rank in success rate. The defense’s diminishing performance could potentially have serious implications over the course of the season.
With a win estimate of 8.7 for the Chiefs for the rest of the season, concerns have been raised about certain areas that need improvement. A lack of capable cornerbacks and pass rushers in the Chiefs’ roster have been highlighted as key concerns. Their defense has been viewed as under-resourced, which may impact their performance unless addressed.
To maintain competitiveness, a 30-point average per game needs to be achieved by modifying their offensive strategies. Their forthcoming schedule promises to be strenuous with matches against formidable teams such as the Ravens in Week 4, Lions in Week 6 and an away game with the Bills in Week 9.
In the futures market, the prudent strategy appears to be holding off on betting on the Chiefs, considering the challenging schedule ahead. As for their next match, the Chiefs are currently favored with a 6.5-point lead against the New York Giants on Sunday night.
One respected oddsmaker mentioned emphatically: ‘They better win this week.’ This points to the urgent need for the Chiefs to stage a comeback in their approaching games in order to stay afloat in the competition and to uphold the respect they have earned over the years.
The post Chiefs’ Rocky Start: Edge of a Comeback or Fall from Grace? appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
