2017 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Rams climb after shutting out Cardinals in London

5. Kansas City Chiefs (3)

All of a sudden, the Kansas City Chiefs may not be the team to beat in the AFC after suffering back-to-back losses, with the latest coming on Thursday against the Oakland Raiders. What’s even more frustrating about this recent loss is the Chiefs seemed to be on their way to extending their winning streak in the AFC West before allowing the Raiders to score the game-winning touchdown as time expired on numerous attempts thanks to too many penalties.

To top it off, Kansas City has difficult matchups over their next two games against the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, so the two-game losing streak didn’t exactly come at the best time for the previously undefeated team. And to think it was less than two weeks ago the Chiefs were considered strong favorites in the AFC, only to be facing this kind of pressure heading into next week’s matchup against the Broncos.

On another note, at least Kansas City has to feel great about Alex Smith continuing to play at a high level after the veteran quarterback has already topped his touchdown pass total from a year ago through seven games. Normally, Smith is known more as a game manager, but with Patrick Mahomes II eventually taking over the starting role, it’s good to see the Chiefs starter take his game to a whole new level this year, especially since the team will need it to get back on the winning track.