Apparently due to the Damar Hamlin incident in Week 17’s Monday Night time Soccer sport, many shops didn’t publish energy rankings final Tuesday. Some put them out on Wednesday, some on Thursday — and a few by no means did them in any respect. However considerably unusually, most of them are again following the ultimate week of the season.
So… for our ultimate roundup of 2022, listed below are the most recent nationwide rankings — with earlier positions from our final nationwide roundup two weeks in the past. When rankings from this week are unavailable, we’ll substitute ultimate rankings from final week. We’ll mark these with an asterisk.
NFL.com: 4
(up from 5)
The Chiefs took care of enterprise on Saturday, easing previous the Raiders to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed for the third time in 5 seasons. Patrick Mahomes will enter the playoffs coming off one other excellent common season that can virtually definitely result in his second league MVP award. Mahomes led the NFL in landing passes (41), passing yards (5,250) and QBR (77.6) — a triple crown of kinds for the sport’s most essential place. The truth that he remained a dominant power after shedding a future Corridor of Fame huge receiver in Tyreek Hill through offseason commerce solely reinforces the understanding of Mahomes’ generational greatness. Kansas Metropolis has by no means gained lower than 12 video games in his 5 years as a starter. A 3rd journey to the Tremendous Bowl could possibly be subsequent.
— Dan Hanzus
ESPN: 1*
(unchanged from 1)
Common season in 5 phrases or fewer: Prime of AFC West once more
The Chiefs gained their seventh straight AFC West title, however it wasn’t as straightforward because it may need seemed. The Chiefs are 5-0 in divisional contests heading into the ultimate regular-season sport in opposition to the Raiders — they gained all 5 video games by six or fewer factors. The Chiefs have performed 5 video games in opposition to opponents that at present have 4 or fewer wins, and so they misplaced one and gained three by six or fewer factors. The Chiefs are nonetheless to be feared within the postseason, as Patrick Mahomes has handed for greater than 5,000 yards and is having an MVP-type season.
— Adam Teicher
The Athletic: 1
(unchanged from 1)
The street to the Tremendous Bowl within the AFC goes by Arrowhead, and the Chiefs have the additional benefit of figuring out they gained’t must beat each the Payments and Bengals with a view to make it to Arizona. In addition they have the very best offense within the league (by DVOA and EPA per drive) and a protection enjoying higher of late. Issues haven’t at all times been straightforward this season for the Chiefs, however nobody else has Patrick Mahomes.
— Bo Wulf
CBSSports.com: 2*
(up from 3)
They haven’t seemed proper the previous few weeks, however they’re discovering methods to win video games. They must be higher come playoff time.
— Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports activities: 4
(unchanged from 4)
Jerick McKinnon had 9 receiving touchdowns, tying Marshall Faulk, Chuck Foreman and Leroy Hoard for essentially the most by a operating again within the Tremendous Bowl period. He bought a receiving landing in six straight video games, a document for a operating again within the Tremendous Bowl period. McKinnon has at all times had expertise, however principally his scorching streak reveals that it hardly issues who’s catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. He’ll get them ultimately zone.
— Frank Schwab
Editor’s notice: Schwab devoted a nine-paragraph introduction to explaining why so many nationwide writers have been satisfied the Chiefs would do poorly in 2022. It concluded with this:
Possibly the Chiefs will fall wanting a Tremendous Bowl. It’s robust to win a title in any season. Kansas Metropolis benefitted from a smooth schedule within the second half of the season. Their protection nonetheless isn’t nice. The AFC championship sport, if it’s in opposition to the Payments, could be at a impartial website and never Arrowhead Stadium.
It’s additionally not good to select in opposition to the Chiefs. They confirmed that this season, once more. In a couple of months, when Chiefs/Mahomes fatigue kicks in once more and we’re making an attempt to speak ourselves into one other group profitable the AFC West or Kansas Metropolis taking a step again, simply keep in mind that so long as Reid and Mahomes are round, the Chiefs aren’t going away. Even when we’re not doing an important job currently appreciating them.
Like, for instance, rating them at No. 4 behind the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Payments.
The Sporting Information: 1
(up from 3)
The Chiefs at all times be a risk to win all of it due to Patrick Mahomes, who doubtless will his second regular-season MVP award. Kansas Metropolis has diversified with its offense with a more practical energy operating and spreading the ball somewhat extra round within the passing sport. Defensively, the Chiefs have held up properly in opposition to the run and made up for some protection issues with the AFC’s best go rush. Their full profile makes them the favorites.
— Vinnie Iyer
USA Right now: 2
(up from 3)
Kansas Metropolis gained 10 of its final 11, incomes AFC’s No. 1 seed for the third time in QB Patrick Mahomes’ 5 seasons as starter. However they gained’t be enjoying Payments at Arrowhead Stadium, the place they’ve eradicated Payments previous two years, this month.
— Nate Davis
Mile Excessive Report: 3
(down from 2)
The AFC Playoffs appear like they’ll be a number of enjoyable — so long as the convention championship sport doesn’t find yourself at a impartial website. The Chiefs, Payments and Bengals all have an important probability at taking dwelling a Lombardi, so we’re assured loads of thrilling matchups. Possibly apart from the Payments vs. Dolphins sport — particularly if Tua remains to be saved out.
— Ross Allen
