NFL Power Rankings: Panthers, Patriots and Bengals at the top entering Week 14

<p>Remember when people were asking the question if it was fair to count out the Kansas City Chiefs from the playoff race? Six consecutive wins later, that feels like it was eons ago as the Chiefs are currently one of the hotter teams in the NFL and now occupy one of the AFC wildcard spots. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for Any Reid’s group as they’ve mowed through the heart of their schedule, continuing to do so with a win over the Oakland Raiders in Week 13.</p> <p>Everything seems to be clicking for this team at just the right time. Alex Smith and Jeremy Maclin have finally developed a lethal rapport in the passing game, but the Chiefs also seem to have found a two-headed monster at running back in Jamaal Charles’ absence with Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware.</p> <p>However, the lifeblood of the Chiefs right now is their defense. Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, and the rest of that front-seven has been a terror for opposing offensive lines over this win-streak by not only racking up sacks, but also in terms of forcing quarterbacks to rush throws and allowing the secondary to make plays and create turnovers.</p> <p>As we’ve seen countless times with Andy Reid’s teams over the years, you never know when this could all fall apart for the Chiefs; but they’re one of the hotter teams in the league right now and have risen from the dead all the way back to postseason relevance.</p>. (7-5). Previous: . kansas city chiefs. 7. team. 124