The Kansas City Chiefs have rekindled the dominance that many fans fondly remember, starting their season with a 5-0 record, following a decisive 22-6 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers. The notable resurgence of the Patrick Mahomes-led offense suggests a return to formidable form, reminiscent of their previous championship runs.
Between 2018 and 2022, Mahomes’ first five years as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, the team consistently ranked first in expected points added (EPA) per play, according to RBSDM.com, an advanced analytics platform. During this period, the Chiefs clinched two Super Bowl titles, while Mahomes himself earned two MVP awards.
However, from 2023 to 2025, the team experienced a dip, ranking 10th in offensive EPA. Despite still securing another championship during this stretch, they faced setbacks, including a disappointing Super Bowl loss and a lackluster start to last season that culminated in Mahomes’ ACL injury, which kept him out of the playoffs.
As of now, with Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs are unbeaten through their first five games, a feat they have only accomplished two other times in his tenure. Currently, they rank fourth in the NFL in EPA per play on offense, a promising improvement compared to recent seasons, and second in EPA per rush, indicating their ground game is performing exceptionally well.
Factors Contributing to Offensive Success
The Chiefs’ offensive resurgence can be attributed to several key factors:
- Mahomes has demonstrated improved performance with his highest yards per attempt and passer rating since 2022. Although he had a game against the Chargers where he did not score a touchdown and threw one interception, he is on track to reach 32 touchdown passes this season, matching his best achievement since 2022.
- A significant factor in their offensive success has been running back Kenneth Walker III, acquired before this season. Walker, a recent Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks, has scored in all but one game thus far. After a standout performance against the Chargers, accumulating 128 yards and two touchdowns, Walker boasts impressive season totals of 655 rushing yards and eight combined touchdowns (six rushing and two receiving).
“He’s a stud,” expressed coach Andy Reid, praising Walker for his skill and toughness in running the ball effectively.
Historic Performance
Walker’s early-season achievements place him among elite company; he is just the third player this century to amass at least 750 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns within the first five games of the season. Previous instances include Priest Holmes in 2002, who earned the Offensive Player of the Year, and Marshall Faulk in 2000, who claimed both the Offensive Player of the Year and MVP honors.
Additionally, Walker’s numbers align historically with those of Hall of Famer Jim Brown, as he becomes the first player since Brown in 1963 to achieve 600 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and multiple receiving touchdowns in his initial five games.
Despite their current success, Walker believes there is still more potential within the offense. “I feel like we’re going to get better,” he stated after the game.
Beyond offensive prowess, the Chiefs’ defense has also played a crucial role, limiting opponents to an average of 16.3 points per game following their latest victory.
Looking Ahead
The last time Kansas City began a season 5-0 was during the 2024 campaign, which ultimately led to a disappointing Super Bowl result. However, the current incarnation of the team, equipped with both a highly efficient offense and a solid defense, offers a different outlook. Mahomes emphasized that his recovery from injury has shifted his perspective, stating, “Today, for me, is about the process.” He added, “You want to take advantage of every opportunity you get to step on the field.”
