KC Chiefs stay on top after Ravens win

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t dominate in Week 1, but they didn’t need to. After a close win over the Baltimore Ravens, Andy Reid’s team remains in good position entering Week 2 of the 2024-25 NFL season.

Where do the back-to-back Super Bowl champions stand compared to their peers? Let’s take a look at some Week 2 NFL power rankings from major media outlets as Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals approaches.

No change in this set of power rankings. Kansas City’s offense was inspiring enough to keep Patrick Mahomes and co. at the top.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Kansas City Chiefs got it right in Week 1 against the Ravens. The real story of that game was the play of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, who have revamped this passing attack. Once Hollywood Brown returns to the lineup, watch out. – Marcus Mosher

Echoing the same sentiment as Mosher, Bleacher ReportGary Davenport thinks the Chiefs will be even more dangerous once Brown returns from his sternoclavicular injury.

Giving Patrick Mahomes so many options in the passing game is just unfair. Defenders need to respect Rice and Worthy, which leaves some light boxes for running back Isiah Pacheco and leaves the bottom wide open for that Kelce guy, who I hear is a pretty good tight end. Mind you, the Chiefs were sloppy on Thursday and Hollywood Brown didn’t even play, and Kansas City dropped 27 to the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense from last year. – Gary Davenport

How much of an adjustment period will this year’s Chiefs team have? If the Week 1 win is any indication, it might be the shortest in a while with Mahomes under center.

How scary for the Chiefs’ opponents that Rashee Rice has blossomed (on the field) into an incredibly dangerous and long receiver who looks like a monster who can score yards after the catch. Xavier Worthy is scary on a whole other level, and gives the Chiefs a sudden set of legitimate stylistic complements who can combine speed and power. Travis Kelce, as he ages, could more comfortably evolve into a role as a table-setter for completions elsewhere. Every year it seems like Patrick Mahomes has to “break in” as a part of a team, and it’s certainly a challenge to have one of his anchor tackles be a rookie second-round pick, but this already looks like the most complete Chiefs team we’ve seen in a few years. – Conor Orr

The back-to-back games against AFC North opponents provided the Chiefs with the opportunity to make a statement at the start of the season.

Xavier Worthy had a brilliant debut, bringing the big play back to Kansas City’s offense, and Rashee Rice had one of his best games as a pro. There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but the Chiefs should get Marquise “Hollywood” Brown back from a shoulder injury in the coming weeks, and the Ravens will be one of their toughest opponents this season. KC’s defense held Baltimore to 10 points through three quarters, but also took advantage of a lot of Ravens’ own mistakes. Still, the champs are the champs, and you better believe they’ll step up for the Bengals when they come to town, even after Cincinnati’s shocking loss to the Patriots at home. – Eric Edholm

Analysts across the football landscape are collectively trying to avoid overreacting to Week 1. That said, the Chiefs’ performance makes it hard not to be positive about their prospects going forward.

Is it too early to start talking about a four-peat? Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy touched the ball three times for 68 yards and two scores. Sophomore receiver Rashee Rice opened the season with the fourth 100-yard game of his career. Eight Chiefs skill-position players touched the ball and Travis Kelce had just 34 yards, so there’s plenty more to come for the Chiefs, who could become the first team to three-peat in the Super Bowl era if they keep it up. – Josh Kendall

Often, teams that come away with close wins prove that the formula can’t be repeated over time. Kansas City, on the other hand, seems to consistently pull off clutch wins against good opponents. The Ravens game was another example of that.

Winning is winning — it doesn’t matter if it’s by an inch or a mile. The immortal words of Dom Toretto rang in my ears as I watched the reigning champions literally hold off the Ravens by a toenail. As dramatic as the opener was, the Chiefs’ new offense looks every bit as explosive as we thought it would be. That’s a scary thought. – David Helman

This week CBS Sport Power Rankings kept it short, sweet and to the point: Kansas City’s receivers are in a better position this season.

We don’t have to worry about their receivers this season. Xavier Worthy can fly and Rashee Rice takes his game to the next level. Patrick Mahomes will shine again. – Piet Prisco

Read More: Insider Provides Update On Chiefs Chances Against Tee Higgins In Week 2