The 2026 NFL regular season’s Week 5 did not feature the Kansas City Chiefs, who sat on their 4-0 record through the bye week.
Let’s see how the national media tweaked their opinion on the Chiefs over the weekend in this week’s sampling of power rankings:
ESPN: 2
(No change)
Biggest issue on defense: Not enough sacks
The Chiefs can generate pressure on the quarterback, whether it’s via Chris Jones, George Karlaftis or rookie R Mason Thomas. But they have one of the biggest statistical anomalies of the 2026 season:
zero sacks in the first month. Before their bye week, they couldn’t put Raiders QB Kirk Cousins on the turf despite a season-high 21 pressures. If the Chiefs can start collecting sacks, their defense could be a top unit in the second half of the season. — Nate Taylor
The Athletic: 2
(No change)
Who have you beaten? Broncos, Colts, Dolphins, Raiders
It hasn’t been the most daunting slate for the Chiefs since the opener, but any critique of where they stand is nitpicking. Patrick Mahomes looks really good coming off an ACL tear, Kenneth Walker has been a revelation for their offense and the defense has played like a top-10 unit. The key question now is how they’ll replace Tyquan Thornton.
— Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
Pro Football Talk: 2
(No change)
They’ve got a chance to deliver the death blow to the Chargers’ season.
— Mike Florio
CBSSports.com: 2
(No change)
They come off their bye with a home game against the winless Chargers. They do so with injury concerns at receiver and the pass rush hasn’t had a sack in three games.
— Pete Prisco
Yahoo! Sports: 2
(Up from 3)
Jets pass rusher David Bailey is the leading early contender to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after his three sacks on Sunday, bringing him to five on the season. But Chiefs cornerback Mansoor Delane has a case too.
Delane is off to a great start to his pro career. Entering Monday, he ranked fourth among all cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ grades. According to PFF he has allowed just nine catches for 80 yards in three games (he missed one because of injury). Quarterbacks have a 46.5 passer rating when throwing his way. Delane was a polarizing pick after the Chiefs traded a third- and fifth-round pick to move up three spots and take Mansoor sixth overall. It seemed like an overpay. But the Chiefs have to be thrilled with what they’ve seen so far.
— Frank Schwab
USA Today: 2
(No change)
Coming out of their bye week, K.C. goes into its Chargers bye week before the schedule really picks up and tougher tests come. But there is help on the way at wideout … just not Tyreek Hill (yet). For now, steady hand(s) Justin Watson is returning to the practice squad.
— Nate Davis
Sports Illustrated: 3
(No change)
I don’t recommend anyone do this, but if you simply search “Travis Kelce” on X, it is literally the most insane collection of scam AI slop meant to enrage Taylor Swift fans. Sometimes, I don’t think we give this guy enough credit for keeping his wits about him.
— Conor Orr
FOX Sports: 2
(No change)
The most impressive part about this Chiefs resurgence is how RB Kenneth Walker has given them the steady, powerful running game they’ve often seemed to lack. That’s given QB Patrick Mahomes room to breathe and not have to carry the offense. That will really help with the injuries to WRs Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice. Those are two big ones to watch as they come out of their bye week and have a huge swing through Seattle and Denver beginning in Week 7.
Next game: vs. Chargers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET)
Stat To Know: Since Patrick Mahomes became the full-time starter in 2018, the Chiefs have started 4-0 in four completed seasons (2018, 2019, 2020 and 2024), reaching the Super Bowl in three of those seasons.
— Ralph Vacchiano
