How the Chiefs have climbed to a stellar 9-0 start

The Kansas City Chiefs have the best record in the NFL so far this season, sitting at 9-0 as the lone undefeated team left.

How have they been able to keep up these perfect performances week in and week out?

Is it luck? Is it magic? Is it just good old-fashioned success? Below is the game-by-game analysis of how the Chiefs have remained perfect through nine games.

Week 1: Reversed call in the end zone

The NFL season kicked off with a Thursday clash for the ages between the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs.

After being tied through one quarter, two Chiefs field goals and a Ravens field goal gave Kansas City a three-point lead going into the half.

It all came down to the final play of the game, where an initial Ravens touchdown catch call was reversed to give the Chiefs a 27-20 win.

Week 2: Pass interference sets up game-winner

The Bengals came to Kansas City looking for their first win of the season, and their matchup with the Chiefs did not disappoint.

Cincinnati had the 25-23 lead heading into the final possession of the game for Kansas City, where quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a nine-play, 43-yard drive down the field.

On a fourth-and-16, Mahomes’ pass was incomplete but Bengals’ safety Daijan Anthony was penalized for defensive pass interference. That penalty later set up a game-winning 51-yard field goal from Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker.

Week 3: No-call in the end zone

The Falcons had two opportunities to score a touchdown trailing 22-17 to the Chiefs but both drives ended with a turnover on downs.

The most controversial call of the game (or lack thereof) occurred on the second-to-last Atlanta drive of the game.

Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was the intended receiver for an incomplete pass, and fans believed there was a no-call. The Chiefs held on to win, 22-17.

Week 4: Fourth-quarter touchdown

The Chiefs did not get involved in any officiating drama this week as they had a standard victory over the Chargers.

A five-play, 60-yard drive by Kansas City culminated in a two-yard rushing touchdown to win the game, 17-10 in Los Angeles.

Week 5: Pulling away late

Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a season-high 331 passing yards and an interception against the collapsing Saints.

A 10-point fourth quarter for Kansas City guaranteed the 26-13 victory heading into the bye week.

Week 7: Injury-ridden victory

Coming off the bye week, the Chiefs continued their run of success against the 49ers in San Francisco.

In a Super Bowl LVIII rematch, the 49ers were without star running back Christian McCaffery and lost star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

The Chiefs enjoyed their Bay Area victory by a score of 28-18 as they moved on to Las Vegas.

Week 8: Fumble in favor of the Chiefs

The Raiders weren’t expected to keep the contest close, but it came down to the final score in an AFC West clash.

After a Chiefs field goal made it a 20-13 game, the Raiders had a chance to go down the field to tie it up.

Raiders’ quarterback Gardner Minshew lost the ball on a fumble, and after an exchange of touchdowns, the Chiefs held on to win, 27-20.

Week 9: Taking advantage of overtime rules

In a finish that seemed reminiscent of the 2022 AFC Divisional round, the Bucs and Chiefs went into overtime and Kansas City had the ball.

Bucs’ coach Todd Bowles was criticized for not going for two after a game-tying touchdown.

Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a 10-play, 70-yard drive as a two-yard Kareem Hunt rushing touchdown won them the game, 30-24 in overtime.

Week 10: Last-second blocked field goal

In a game that saw the Broncos take a 14-3 lead in the second quarter, the Chiefs scored 13 unanswered points at the end of the first half and through the second half.

Denver drove the ball down the field and set up a field goal attempt by Wil Lutz, but the 35-yard attempt was blocked to keep the Chiefs’ perfect season alive.

Bryan Portney is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bep5295@psu.edu.