Should the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs be involved? Regardless of being extensively considered a Tremendous Bowl contender, quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ squad is now not the crew to beat within the NFL. In line with ESPN’s newest energy rankings, they have been overtaken by their arch-rival within the race for the Vince Lombardi Trophy-the Philadelphia Eagles.
Again in April, following the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN ranked head coach Andy Reid’s Chiefs as the highest crew within the league. Their draft alternatives, mixed with savvy free company strikes, made them the undisputed primary.
Quick ahead three months, and after back-to-back preseason losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, the Chiefs have slipped barely within the rankings. Nevertheless it’s not simply the underwhelming efficiency of their backups that is elevating eyebrows-the unsure way forward for vast receiver Rashee Rice can also be weighing closely on the crew’s outlook, ESPN reported.
Why did the Chiefs drop?
Rice has grow to be a supply of concern for the Chiefs’ entrance workplace on two fronts. First, there’s the ACL damage that sidelined him in Week 4 of the 2024 season. Though he is now medically cleared, regaining aggressive rhythm may take a number of extra video games.
The second difficulty is extra troubling. Rice is scheduled for a disciplinary listening to on September 30 to find out the results of a automobile accident he was concerned in-an incident that left 4 folks injured.
ESPN analyst Nate Taylor famous, “If [Rice] excels in September, the Chiefs may have one other scorching begin. If Rice struggles, Kansas Metropolis must place a lot of the passing assault on the shoulders of 35-year-old Travis Kelce.”
Eagles soar to No. 1
Due to aggressive draft strikes that addressed key gaps left by free company, the Philadelphia Eagles now sit atop ESPN’s energy rankings. Head coach Nick Sirianni’s squad is not simply anticipated to return to the Huge Recreation-they’re the main candidate to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
One potential weak spot for Philadelphia is new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who replaces the extremely profitable Kellen Moore. Nonetheless, if Patullo can harness the immense expertise at his disposal, the Eagles may nonetheless dominate-and crush anybody of their path, together with the Chiefs.
