2023 NFL Power Rankings: Kansas City Chiefs

Biggest issue on defense: Lack of takeaways

The Chiefs have five takeaways, tied for 11th in the NFL. That's not good enough for a team that thrives on the pressure it puts on the opposing offense. Particularly alarming is the fact they have just one interception despite playing two games against otherwise struggling young quarterbacks in Justin Fields and Zach Wilson. That doesn't bode well for upcoming games against Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson (twice), Justin Herbert, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts in the next six weeks. -- Adam Teicher

Patrick Mahomes had one of the stranger outings of his career in a 23-20 victory over the Jets, perhaps switching bodies with Zach Wilson for the middle part of the Sunday night tilt. I didn't expect Mahomes to go full Mamba and unleash the legs quite that much, but that's what he does on off nights. And it's a big part of what makes him the best. Pat can beat you -- on the road, in the fourth quarter -- with his fourth-best pitch. Kansas City's defense was humbled a bit after a really strong start to the season, but all told, the Chiefs survived a scare in prime time. Now three wins removed from the Kickoff Game loss to the Lions, the Chiefs are getting their mojo back -- while acquiring a whole new legion of fans.

It wasn't easy against the Jets, but they found a way. The offense still isn't clicking yet the way we've come to expect. When is the big game from Patrick Mahomes coming?

TE Travis Kelce had six catches Sunday night, roughly matching the amount of commercials he appeared in. Still, concerning to see QB Patrick Mahomes largely outplayed by Jets counterpart Zach Wilson.

After losing to the Lions in Week 1, the Chiefs are getting into game shape. Patrick Mahomes had a 63.6 quarterback rating Sunday night and made the two biggest plays of the game with his legs, but hardly anyone noticed after Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman descended upon MetLife Stadium for the game. The whole Swift-following-the-Chiefs-everywhere thing is a whole different level of chaos.

It would be a cop-out to suggest that Kansas City got bored, but something obviously changed once they took a 17-0 lead on Sunday night. The bottom line is that the Jets outplayed the Chiefs for a solid chunk of this game, but we don't apologize for road wins in the NFL. Patrick Mahomes & Co. have more than earned the benefit of the doubt that this was a blip on the radar. Remember, these guys lost to the Colts around this time last year.

Isiah Pacheco had a promising game. He had 115 yards on the ground and 43 receiving against a very good Jets defense. That's a great sign for a Chiefs offense that needs playmakers other than Travis Kelce. If the Chiefs can keep Pacheco going and have a young receiver emerge (I'd bet on rookie Rashee Rice), the Chiefs' offense could get back to a top-three form. They haven't been there yet this season.

This team's foot slips off the gas pedal far too often.

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