Beyond Luck: Unpacking Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs’ Perfect Record
The Kansas City Chiefs are 9-0 this year, winners of 15 consecutive games going back to the 2023 season and playoffs. They are also reigning repeat Super Bowl champions.
But despite all that, the Chiefs have been labeled “the worst undefeated team ever” through this point of the schedule. They’ve also been seen as “lucky’ throughout nearly the entirety of their perfect start.
That luck, however, is the residue of the roster’s championship design. Their great fortune has been hard-earned with their personnel, coaching, and execution.
Here’s debunking the four biggest reasons for the misguided “lucky” narrative about the best team in the NFL.
The Chiefs’ margin of victory
The Chiefs have 58 net points over their nine opponents, which averages out to a 6.4 margin of victory, or less than a touchdown and extra point. Seven of the nine games are one-possession games. One win came in overtime, vs. the Buccaneers in Week 9.
But the Chiefs, even when facing a significant hole early or in a tight game late, have rarely seemed in danger of losing. They have overcome plenty of injury attrition to make one more winning play every game, either on offense, defense, or special teams. They have beaten four teams currently in playoff position and also the 49ers, who should recover to win the NFC West.
Patrick Mahomes also trailed three times in Super Bowl victories and made it look easy while erasing deficits in the end. He leads the league with three fourth-quarter comebacks and four game-winning drives. Joe Montana and Tom Brady were on awesome teams that didn’t lose much and have been praised as GOATs for what they did in the clutch in close games. The Chiefs deserve more credit for being so consistent in surviving-and-advancing while getting the opposition’s best shot every week.
