KANSAS CITY, MO. • The Chiefs shook off a sluggish 3-4 start and forged a fourgame winning streak entering their Week 12 bye.

Now a more comfortable 7-4 including four wins against NFC East opponents, the Chiefs are in familiar territory: atop the AFC West and currently holding the AFC’S No. 4 seed for the playoffs.

But Kansas City didn’t get to this point playing the kind of football we’re accustomed to seeing. Instead of the offense leading the way, they’ve done it with defense, holding opponents to less than 20 points in four straight games.

The are some obstacles remaining through the final six matchups of the regular season. When the Chiefs return from their off-week, they take on the Denver Broncos (5-5) twice, as well as the Las Vegas Raiders (5-5), Los Angeles Chargers (6-4), Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) and Cincinnati Bengals (6-4).

The Chiefs’ second half is an opportunity to gain ground in the fight for the AFC’S No. 1 seed in the postseason. But before we think too far ahead, let’s review how they got to this point.

THE OFFENSE

Notable league rankings, via NFL GSIS and STATSPASS:

• Total yards (net) per game: 4th (402.4)

• Net passing yards per game: 2nd (290.5)

• Rushing yards per game: 18th (111.9)

• Total points: 9th (281, 25.5 per game)

• Total first downs: 1st (281)

• Third-down pct.: 1st (51.5)

• Red-zone TD pct.: 15th (59.5)

• Time of possession per game: 10th (30:31)

• Average starting field position after kickoff: 17th (24.6)

• Big plays (20-plus yards): T-13th (42)

• Giveaways: 31st (22) Quarterback:

On paper, Patrick Mahomes still leads one of the NFL’S best offenses. But he’s endured an up-and-down season statistically.

He’s thrown for a leaguehigh 3,200 yards and his 25 touchdown passes are the second-most in the NFL. He’s also garnered AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors twice in 2021: in Weeks 1 and

10.

That’s the good.

The bad? Mahomes’ 11 interceptions, which are tied for the second-most in the league. And he’s lost three fumbles. The Chiefs’ signal-caller boasts a 105.7 career passer rating, but he failed to top 91.0 in six of his past season games.

Seven of Mathomes’ lowest single-game passer ratings since he became the starter in 2018 have occurred this season, including a career-low 62.3 in Week 7’s 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

To his credit, even as he’s faced more two-deep safety looks, Mahomes has battled. And he’s still one of the NFL’S elite.

Running backs:

Clyde Edwards-helaire, Darrel Williams, Jerick Mckinnon and Derrick Gore anchor a running game ranked 18th in the league.

Edwards-helaire missed five games on injured reserve with an MCL sprain but returned in Week 11 to help the Chiefs secure a 19-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys with 76 total yards and a touchdown. Even with his missed time, the second-year pro leads the Chiefs with 367 yards rushing.

Williams filled in during Edwards-helaire’s absence and ranks second with 358 yards and a team-high four rushing touchdowns.

He’s a punishing runner. Gore, who was called up from the practice squad when Edwards-helaire landed on injured reserve, has 80 yards and a touchdown in five games. Mckinnon, a change-of-pace back, has 119 yards (81 receiving).

Fullback Michael Burton rounds out the Chiefs’ backfield as a blocker and contributor on special teams. Wide receivers: Tyreek Hill has a team-high 84 catches for 932 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 94 yards on eight carries.

Even as he runs more underneath routes because of the defensive coverages now favored by the Chiefs’ opponents, Hill is well on his way to a second straight 1,000-yard season. He should shatter his previous career high of 87 catches (2018 , 2020).

The Chiefs have effectively utilized a committee approach at the No. 2 wide receiver spot with Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson. Hardman leads the trio with 42 catches for 424 yards and a touchdown. Pringle has 23 catches for 338 yards and three touchdowns and Robinson’s made 16 catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

With just two catches for 18 yards on six targets in seven games, former NFL star Josh Gordon has yet to emerge since signing with the Chiefs.