Chiefs could kick into high gear with Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs have survived without Patrick Mahomes. Now they’re likely welcoming him back.

Without Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs went 2-1 (including the game he was injured against the Denver Broncos). This leaves them at 6-3 overall and in first place of the AFC West. On Sunday, Kansas City got a solid showing from Mahomes’ replacement, Matt Moore, helping to earn a 26-23 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Moore was 25-of-35 for 275 yards and no turnovers.

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Still, Moore was fine. Mahomes is exceptional. Should he return on Sunday from a dislocated kneecap against the Tennessee Titans, the Chiefs have a chance to get rolling.

Through nine games, Kansas City has only played one truly bad team in the Broncos. Beyond them, the Chiefs have faced a litany of decent teams — the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars — along with a gauntlet of playoff-caliber foes including the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and the aforementioned Vikings.

The rest of the way? Kansas City only has one game against a team currently above .500, that being the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Week 14.

The easier part of the schedule not only coincides with Mahomes getting healthy, but the rest of the team as well. After extended absences, defensive tackle Chris Jones, guard Andrew Wylie and wide receiver Sammy Watkins have come back over the past two weeks. After being game-time decisions on Sunday, it appears defensive end Frank Clark and slot corner Kendall Fuller are also good bets to return for Tennessee.

Read: Panthers Place Cam Newton on IR, Potentially Ending His Time in Carolina

In fact, last week was the first time all season the Chiefs had no injuries no report after a game.

While catching New England for the top seed in the AFC playoffs remains a long shot, getting the second seed and a first-round bye is well within reason. The Chiefs are going to be favored every game the rest of the way san Week 14 provided Mahomes is upright. The main competition is Baltimore and Houston, with one leading Kansas City by a half-game and the other in a dead heat. However, both have tougher schedules than the Chiefs after playing much easier ones over the first half of the slate.

Through nine weeks, the Chiefs have survived injuries galore including to the league’s best player and reigning MVP. This while dealing with one contender after the next.

Now, Kansas City is getting healthy while becoming increasingly dangerous before its playoff foray.