Patrick Mahomes Has the Chiefs Back in the Super Bowl Conversation (Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs have won five straight games to open the 2026 season, putting them back in the Super Bowl conversation after missing the playoffs last year. Their 22-6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday offered another sign that this team is finding its rhythm. Patrick Mahomes threw for 272 yards, while Kenneth Walker III powered the ground game with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The early results are encouraging, but the bigger change is how Kansas City is winning. Mahomes has more help, and the defense is giving the Chiefs another reason to believe.
Walker rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns, helping Kansas City control the game without asking Mahomes to carry every drive through the air. Mahomes still sets the standard, and his 272 passing yards against Los Angeles showed that the passing game remains productive. Mahomes remains the player who can change a game in a few possessions, but Kansas City’s offense is no longer built around the need for him to do everything. Walker has given the Chiefs a reliable running option, forcing opposing defenses to account for more than the quarterback’s arm. His performance against the Chargers showed why that matters. That balance can make life harder for defensive coordinators, who must decide whether to commit extra players to stopping the run or leave more room for Mahomes to attack downfield. But when the running attack can take over stretches of a game, Kansas City has another way to win. Kansas City’s defensive performance against the Chargers was just as important as the offensive numbers. Allowing only six points gave the Chiefs room to manage the game, rather than chase the scoreboard or rely on a late comeback. The Chiefs have made a convincing start, yet five wins do not guarantee a deep playoff run. Injuries, tougher opponents and mistakes in close games can quickly change a team’s outlook. Kansas City must keep Mahomes healthy, preserve its offensive balance and show that the defense can deliver consistently. The encouraging sign is that the Chiefs do not appear to need a perfect performance from Mahomes to win. Walker’s emergence gives the offense another identity, while the defense has helped keep games under control. That combination gives Kansas City a stronger foundation than a team relying on passing production alone. After missing the playoffs last season, the Chiefs have given their supporters a reason to think bigger again. Their undefeated start does not make a Super Bowl appearance inevitable, but it has changed the conversation. If Walker continues producing, Mahomes stays sharp and the defense holds up against better competition, Kansas City will have a credible case for returning to the NFL ‘s biggest game.