Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs

With a 12-3 record through their first 15 games of the 2025 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs have notched their best start in half a decade—surpassing even their Super Bowl-winning 2022 campaign, which saw them go 11-4 through the same stretch. This historic start isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about dominance: the Chiefs rank top-five in both total offense (382 yards per game) and total defense (301 yards allowed per game), making them one of only two teams in the league (alongside the Baltimore Ravens) to crack the top five in both categories. For a franchise accustomed to success, this start stands out because it balances consistency with growth—fixing past weaknesses (like a porous run defense) while elevating existing strengths (Patrick Mahomes’ passing attack). Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs is a testament to the team’s ability to reload, not rebuild, and solidifies their status as the AFC’s most feared contender.

The numbers behind the Chiefs’ start tell a story of sustained excellence rarely seen in recent franchise history. Offensively, Mahomes has been in MVP form, throwing for 4,120 yards and 31 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions—good for a 108.6 passer rating, his highest through 15 games since 2020. He’s been supported by a rushing attack that’s finally clicked: Isiah Pacheco has rushed for 892 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while backup Dameon Pierce (signed to the practice squad midseason) has added 210 yards in limited action. Defensively, the Chiefs have made their biggest leap: after ranking 22nd in points allowed in 2024, they now rank 6th, surrendering just 19.8 points per game. Chris Jones has anchored the line with 12 sacks, while linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. have combined for 231 tackles and 4 interceptions. What makes this start even more impressive is its resilience: the Chiefs have won six games by one possession, including a last-second victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10 and a come-from-behind win against the Denver Broncos in Week 5. These clutch wins suggest the team has not just talent, but the mental toughness to win when it matters most. Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs is defined by this combination of statistical dominance and competitive grit.

To fully appreciate this start, it’s critical to compare it to the Chiefs’ recent history—a benchmark that underscores just how special 2025 has been. Their 12-3 record through 15 games is their best since 2020, when they finished 14-2 but lost in the AFC Championship Game. It’s also a significant improvement over their 2022 Super Bowl run (11-4 through 15 games) and their 2023 campaign (10-5, which ended with a first-round playoff exit). The key difference? Balance. In 2022, the Chiefs relied heavily on their offense to carry a struggling defense; in 2025, both units are performing at an elite level. For example, in 2022, the Chiefs’ defense allowed 24.5 points per game through 15 games; this year, that number is down nearly 5 points. Offensively, they’ve become more efficient: their third-down conversion rate (42.1%) is 3 percentage points higher than in 2022, and they’ve turned 78% of their red-zone trips into touchdowns (up from 69% in 2022). These incremental improvements have added up to a more complete team—one that doesn’t have to rely on Mahomes to win every game single-handedly. Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs thus represents a evolution of the franchise, moving from an offense-driven juggernaut to a well-rounded contender.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ coaching staff deserves significant credit for this historic start, particularly head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Reid, now in his 11th season with Kansas City, has refined his offensive scheme to play to the team’s strengths: he’s increased the use of play-action passes (up 15% from 2024) to exploit Mahomes’ ability to read defenses, and he’s leaned into the run game in short-yardage situations to reduce turnovers. The result? The Chiefs have turned the ball over just 12 times this season, their lowest total through 15 games since 2019. Spagnuolo, meanwhile, has overhauled the defense, shifting from a base 3-4 to a more flexible 4-3 look that allows Jones to line up in multiple spots and creates more one-on-one matchups for the pass rush. This adjustment has paid off: the Chiefs have recorded 42 sacks through 15 games, 10 more than they had at this point in 2024. The Kansas City Chiefs’ coaches have also prioritized player health, using rotational substitutions to keep key players fresh—Mahomes has taken just 28 sacks this season, down from 35 in 2024. This combination of scheme tweaks and player management has been the backbone of the team’s success. Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs is as much a testament to coaching brilliance as it is to on-field talent.

A critical factor in the Kansas City Chiefs’ best start in years has been the emergence of young players who’ve complemented the team’s veteran core. Rookie defensive tackle Malcolm Roach has recorded 3 sacks and 25 tackles, filling a void left by the departure of Danny Shelton. Second-year wide receiver Skyy Moore, who returned from IR in Week 16, has added 356 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving Mahomes a reliable third option behind Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Even on special teams, young players have made an impact: rookie punter Tommy Townsend has averaged 48.2 yards per punt, pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line 23 times. These young contributors have not just filled roles—they’ve elevated the team, allowing veterans like Kelce (982 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Jones to focus on their strengths without overextending. The Kansas City Chiefs’ front office has long prided itself on drafting and developing talent, and this season’s start is a payoff for that strategy. By blending veterans with emerging stars, the team has created a roster that’s both experienced and hungry—two qualities that are essential for deep playoff runs. Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs is thus a reflection of the franchise’s long-term planning, not just short-term success.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs’ best start in years has positioned them for a deep playoff run—and potentially another Super Bowl title. With a chance to lock up the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye with a win in Week 17, they’ll enter the playoffs rested and confident. What makes this start even more promising is its sustainability: the Chiefs have no major injuries to key players, their offense shows no signs of slowing down (they’ve scored 30+ points in seven games), and their defense has proven it can stop elite offenses (holding the Bills to 17 points in Week 10). For fans, this start has rekindled memories of the team’s 2019-2020 peak, but with a key difference: this year’s team is more balanced, more resilient, and better equipped to handle the rigors of the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs have set a high bar for themselves, but their start suggests they’re more than capable of meeting it. Best Start Through Games in Years for the Kansas City Chiefs is ultimately a story of excellence—one that could end with the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl trophy. As the regular season winds down, all eyes are on Kansas City, where a historic start has turned into a realistic shot at football immortality.