Best Record in the NFL

In April 2013, the Chiefs had the #1 pick in the NFL Draft.
In October 2013, the Chiefs have the #1 record in the NFL.

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I don't think the Chiefs are the best team in the league. I'd put the Broncos, Seahawks and Saints at the top three. And lump the Chiefs in with the Patriots, Colts, 49ers and Packers. So they're a top 8 team for me.

They'll make the playoffs.

But because of the Broncos being in their division, it's a strange dynamic. I wrote about it last week, but they're either looking at getting a bye or playing a wild-card game on the road. It really doesn't matter what record the Patriots or Colts end up with.

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The script for this game was very familiar. Chiefs offense scores a few touchdowns, but Chiefs defense does the rest.

In the 2nd quarter, the Chiefs take the lead on a 3rd and 1 touchdown run by Alex Smith:

Ah the classic, fake to no one! I can see why that worked so well.

In the 3rd, the Texans trailed 10-14 but had 1st and goal at the 1.
QB sneak stuffed.
RB tackle for loss.
Incomplete pass.
Field goal. Texans still trail 13-14.

The teams would exchange field goals and the Texans trailed 16-17 entering the 4th quarter.

Texans 4th quarter drive #1 ends with a Flowers sack on 3rd and 9. Punt.
Texans 4th quarter drive #2 ends with a Houston/Hali sack on 3rd and 8. Punt.
Texans 4th quarter drive #3 ends with a Hali sack on 3rd and 4. Punt.
Texans 4th quarter drive #4 ends with a Hali sack on 2nd and 10. Forced fumble, recovered by Chiefs. Victory formation.

And that's after the goal line stand. FOUR TIMES the Chiefs offense put the onus on the defense: "hey can you not allow them any points on four chances, because we're done for the day."

That's not going to be good enough against top teams. But we've played 7 games and won them all.

And then this happened:

It's still totally realistic to think that the Broncos will finish at 14-2 and the Chiefs will be 12-4 or 13-3. But it would be quite lovely to win the AFC West and send Denver on the road.