22. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 24)
I’m not sure whether to chalk Monday night’s win up to the Chiefs or the descending Patriots. The solid running game and stout defense — that sounds nothing like an Andy Reid team, but it’s led to two straight wins.
I’m far from a believer when it comes to Kansas City, but they are formidable when Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles play like that.
What to know: Alex Smith completed 20-of-26 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns Monday night. That computes to a passer rating of 144.4, which is the fourth-highest by any player with at least 10 attempts in a game against a team that employed Bill Belichick as its head coach or defensive coordinator, according to Elias Sports.
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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.