The Chiefs issue a challenge to the AFC as the end of the regular season nears.
Winners of five straight games since the start of the season 3-4, the Chiefs have gone from the most curious idle train wreck in the NFL to a consistently flawed team that no one should be looking forward to playing.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill remain capable of destroying games on their own or in unison, and now the Chiefs’ defense is making life difficult for opponents.
Facing stiff competition from the AFC the rest of the way, including today’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders and Thursday night at the LA Chargers, Kansas City has its eye on the top seed of the conference.
Here’s a look at the Chiefs’ two games this week, plus other upcoming highlights for KC-area sports fans.
AFC West in two stages
The Chiefs’ two games this week are against teammates in the AFC West division. And one of them offers a chance of redemption.
After hosting the Raiders (6-6) at Arrowhead Stadium today at noon, the Chiefs have a quick turnaround before taking on the Chargers (7-5) Thursday night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Chiefs beat the Raiders pretty well in Las Vegas last month, winning 41-14. But that was the last time we really saw their offense buzz. Their wins since have been driven by their dominance over defense and special teams.
Out of conference
The Kansas, Missouri and K-State men’s basketball teams are slowly closing in on conference games.
The Tigers host the Utah Utes at Mizzou Arena next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. On the same day, KU faces Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. in Lawrence.
Before either of those games happen, K-State gets a visit from Green Bay today. Tipping is at 4 p.m. at the Bramlage Coliseum.
It’s bowl season
It will still be a while before the Kansas and Missouri State teams prepare for their respective bowls, but the college football playoffs begin Friday.
On the December 17 schedule are the Bahamas Bowl (Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo) and the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl (Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina). And next Saturday is an even bigger day for bowl lovers.
No less than seven matches are on the program for December 18:
- Boca Raton Bowl (Western Kentucky vs. Appalachian State)
- Celebration Bowl (South Carolina State vs. Jackson State)
- New Mexico Bowl (UTEP vs. Fresno State)
- Independence Bowl (UAB vs. BYU)
- LendingTree Bowl (Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty)
- Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl (Utah State vs. Oregon State)
- New Orleans Bowl (Louisiana vs. Marshall)
The Jimmy Kimmel bowl? Welcome, friends, to silly season football.
Roo Up for Hoops for Women
The Kansas City Roos women’s basketball team entered the top of the Summit League standings this weekend with an 8-0 record. No conference games have yet been played, but the Roos have been scoring in the 80s and 90s lately.
They’re at Tennessee State today at 1 p.m., then they return to the Swinney Recreation Center to play an 11 a.m. game Tuesday against Santa Clara. The Roos are a torrid 5-0 home record so far this season.
Mavs Military Appreciation
Military members are eligible for discounted tickets to two KC Mavericks hockey games at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence this week.
The Mavs host the Iowa Heartlanders on Friday and Saturday. The team says $20 tickets for military personnel are available at the Cable Dahmer Arena box office.