The Kansas City Chiefs are 4-0, but the mask is slipping. They beat the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 on Sunday, yet the stats show a team that is not quite dominant. A perfect start means nothing if the roster cracks under pressure. The bye week is the only time to fix the holes before the AFC West turns ugly.
The Third-Down Stop Gap
The defense gives up too many big plays when it matters most. They allow 37% of third-down conversions, which ranks 13th in the NFL. That number is fine for a bad team, but not for a Super Bowl contender. The pressure rate sits at 24%, yet they only rank 25th in getting sacks on third down. They have just one third-down sack all year. Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah got that strip sack against Denver in Week 1. The rest of the unit is silent. On pass downs, defensive tackle Chris Jones must generate more disruption. The ends are muddying the pocket, but the pocket is still getting hit. They must get off the field or the season slips away.
Protecting the Arm
The offense runs well, but the quarterback is taking hits. The run game sets up play action, which is great. But Mahomes needs time on straight dropbacks. The pass protection has been subpar in true pass sets. Per reports, rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson has surrendered six pressures across 48 true pass sets. That means the team only drops back for a traditional pass play about 12 times per game. Opponents will figure this out. Mahomes cannot win if he is running for his life. The return of left tackle Josh Simmons from a back injury feels like the only path to real improvement here.
Receivers Must Step Up
The receiving corps is thin and the injuries are piling up. A dislocated ankle means Tyquan Thornton will probably miss the entire regular season. He was the biggest playmaker in the group so far. Rashee Rice is also out with a hamstring injury for the short term. The offense needs Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, and rookie Cyrus Allen to make plays on their own. They cannot just execute the play. They have to create something from nothing. Worthy needs to see more targets. Royals has run-after-catch ability. Allen has route running skills. The team must use these strengths. Without them, the offense stalls when the run game gets stuffed.
The Chiefs are 2-0 in one-score games this year. From an offensive perspective, they are scoring nearly 30 points per game. That is good, but it is not enough for a deep run. Addressing roster issues is necessary for a late-season playoff push. Wide receiver has become a major need. The team might look at trade targets like Jerry Jeudy or Marvin Harrison Jr. before the deadline. The window is open, but the clock is ticking.
