Led by safety Eric Berry's two interceptions—first a pick-6, and later a pick-2—the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday by a score of 29-28, improving to 9-3 on the season.
The turnaround to Thursday Night Football against the Oakland Raiders is quick, so here is how Kansas City fared in the power rankings headed into the very first game of Week 14.
AVERAGE POWER RANKINGS POSITION: 4.8
NFL.com's Elliot Harrison**has the Chiefs at No. 5**, up one rank from last week.
Harrison: "If you don't follow Eric Berry's career – because he's a defensive player or because he's not a sack master or because he isn't a loudmouth corner who brags about, of all things, his knowledge of the NFL rulebook – then you're missing out. Berry once again personally delivered a win to the Chiefs on Sunday. First, he came up with another awe-inspiring pick-6 in the final minute of the first half. Then there was the ultra-clutch, fourth-quarter pick-2 – that's right, a pick-2, in the final five minutes of the game. The last points scored in the game, by the way. What a playmaker. Remember his winding interception return for a touchdown in Carolina last month? The guy is so darn good that fans don't think of him as the player who bested Hodgkin's lymphoma less than two years ago. The city where he won his battle? Atlanta. Times two, now." Harrison has the Raiders at No. 3, the Broncos at No. 6 and the Chargers at No. 20.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco**has the Chiefs at No.4**, up one rank from last week. Prisco: "Two straight victories have them a game out of first with the Raiders coming to town. If they win that one, they lead the division."
Bleacher Report's Chris Simms**has the Chiefs at No. 4**, no movement from last week.
Simms: "Defense and special teams scores. That's what Kansas City does. And it does them better than any other team in football—even its rival Broncos.
Coach Andy Reid had the perfect play to spring Albert Wilson on a third-quarter fake punt. Later on, Eric Berry scored the first six of his eight points on a long interception-return touchdown. Alex Smith only needed to play a decent quarterback.
He did much more than that. Kansas City's passing game actually tried downfield throws this week. Travis Kelce benefited most; the tight end is unbelievable at finding the hole in zone coverage, then turning upfield.
Looking forward: Raiders-Chiefs? For the AFC West (maybe)? Thursday Night Football is must-see T.V."
ESPN**has the Chiefs at No. 7**, down one rank from last week.
"Some of the Chiefs' wins this season seem as unlikely as winning the lottery, and with a pick-six and a pick-two in Week 13, that comparison might not be that far off. The Chiefs can take control of the AFC West with a win over the Raiders on Thursday night."
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab**has the Chiefs at No. 4**, no movement from last week.
Schwab: "Don't discount Sunday's impressive Chiefs win. Not only were the Chiefs traveling to face a good Atlanta team, a week after an emotionally draining overtime win (in altitude) at Denver, but it would have been understandable if they were looking ahead to Thursday's massive AFC West showdown against the Raiders. Sunday's win says a lot about the Chiefs."
