The Kansas City Chiefs are looking a lot more like the team people expect to see every year, and the turnaround has come fast. After last season ended without even a playoff berth, a jolt that felt completely out of character for a franchise that lives in the Super Bowl conversation, Kansas City is 3-0 heading into Week 4.
A big reason for that shift, according to Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today, is the arrival of Kenneth Walker III. In a Wednesday feature, he gave the Chiefs an A- for their start and pointed to Walker as the piece that has changed the shape of the offense.
As Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote, "there's no question that the addition of NFL leading rusher Kenneth Walker III has transformed this attack. Now able to threaten teams from under center and with play-action looks thanks to its restored balance, the Chiefs are keeping opponents off base - and Patrick Mahomes is reaping the benefits."
Those benefits show up in the numbers. NFL research says Mahomes has posted his best EPA per dropback since his second MVP season, sitting at +0.21. He’s also putting up the lowest air yards per attempt mark of his career at 5.8, according to Next Gen Stats.
That all comes with Mahomes healthy again, which obviously changes the entire feel of the offense. The balance is back, the Chiefs look dangerous again, and the whole operation is starting to resemble the version of Kansas City that everyone knows. And yes, Travis Kelce may have another ring in play before he calls it a career.
In Other News...
Chiefs Could Catch A Big Break In This Raiders Matchup
The Raiders offensive line is suddenly worth watching as their unbeaten meeting with the Chiefs draws closer, with rookie right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson dealing with a groin injury he picked up in Week 3. Powers-Johnson, a 2024 second-round pick, has been part of a line the Raiders hoped would stabilize things up front, but his status now adds some uncertainty to a matchup that already carries plenty of AFC West weight.
If Powers-Johnson cant go, Caleb Rogers would be in line to step in after being taken in the third round of the 2025 draft. The Raiders also added Tyler Linderbaum as a key offseason piece along the offensive line, so Kansas City will be keeping an eye on whether Las Vegas can hold its front together in a game that matters early in the division race. [Read more 🡒]
Brittany Mahomes Just Shared A Family Tribute Fans Had Never Seen
Brittany Mahomes has never been shy about showing how much family means to her, but her latest post gave fans a closer look at a tribute with a very personal touch. The tattoo on her arm, revealed during a Kansas City Chiefs game and later shown on her Instagram Story, honors Patrick Mahomes and the couples three children in a way that feels both detailed and deeply intentional.
Patrick Mahomes and Brittany Matthews have been together since high school, and their relationship has grown alongside his rise with the Chiefs, leading to a wedding in 2022 and a family of five. The new ink includes the childrens names, their birthdates and facial profiles, along with Patrick Mahomes initials, a sign of just how much their home life has become part of the public story around Kansas City. [Read more 🡒]
Andy Reid Brings Extra Edge Into Chiefs Raiders Showdown In Vegas
Andy Reid walked into his press conference ahead of the Chiefs-Raiders matchup in Las Vegas with a little more context than usual, and it fit the moment. He was told he owns the most wins at Allegiant Stadium, a list that includes a Super Bowl victory, and now he gets another high-stakes visit as Kansas City and Las Vegas meet with both teams undefeated at 3-0. Reids history in the building is already lopsided, too, as he carries a 6-1 record at the Raiders home stadium.
For Reid, the setting only adds to a rivalry that already had plenty of juice. He said he is looking forward to the game and acknowledged the Raiders have improved, which makes this week feel a little different than a routine divisional trip. The Chiefs have been here before with Reid, and this time the backdrop is even sharper because a perfect start for both teams leaves little room for anyone to back into control of the AFC West race. [Read more 🡒]