THE Kansas City Chiefs improved to 9-0 this season after blocking a late field goal attempt to beat the Denver Broncos, 16-14. The victory ties the franchise record for most wins at the start of a season.
This week, the Chiefs could set a new franchise record by opening the season at 10-0. If they are able to do it on the road against the Buffalo Bills this weekend, they would be the first team to go 10-0 since the Pittsburgh Steelers 2020.
Here’s how their start compares to the best in NFL history.
9-0 teams in NFL history
Kansas City became the 34th team in NFL history to start a season 9-0 with a victory last week against Denver. This is the fourth time a team has gone 9-0 in the last decade after the 2020 Steelers, 2015 Carolina Panthers and 2015 New England Patriots.
This year’s Chiefs have the worst point differential of any team, 9-0, with 58, just below the 2006 Indianapolis Colts (60).
Regardless of the point differential, winning nine in a row to open the season is a good sign for the playoffs. Among the previous 33 teams that started 9-0 in NFL history:
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30 won their division (the exceptions are the 1948 San Francisco 49ers, 1934 Detroit Lions, and 2013 Chiefs).
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12 won their conference championship game.
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7 won the Super Bowl (2009 New Orleans Saints, 2006 Colts, 1998 Broncos, 1991 Washington Commanders, 1990 New York Giants, 1985 Chicago Bears and 1972 Miami Dolphins).
With a win, the Chiefs would become the 28th team in NFL history to open a season 10-0.
Longest winning streaks in NFL history
Two teams went undefeated throughout the regular season in the Super Bowl era: the 1972 Dolphins (14-0) and the 2007 Patriots (16-0). Only the Dolphins completed an undefeated season with three playoff victories to go 17-0.
The Colts set the record for longest regular season winning streak over multiple seasons with 23 from 2008 to 2009. With nine straight wins to open the season, the Chiefs are at 11 straight regular season wins.
New England holds the record for the longest winning streak in the NFL, including both the regular season and the playoffs, with 21 consecutive victories between the 2003 and 2004 NFL seasons. The Chiefs are currently at 15 thanks to their four playoff wins last season and could match that streak by going 15-0 to open the season.
The Chiefs’ departure puts them as favorites to win their third straight Super Bowl as well as the No. 1 seed in the AFC and AFC West.
Here’s a full look at their odds at BetMGM:
Favorites for Chiefs’ first loss
The latest NFL odds from BetMGM indicate that this week is the most likely game to end the Chiefs’ winning streak. Here’s what the odds for Kansas City’s first loss now look like:
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Week 11 at Bills: -135
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Week 12 at the Panthers: +1200
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Week 13 vs. Raiders: +1500
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Week 14 vs. Chargers: +750
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Week 15 at Browns: +1500
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Week 16 vs. Texans: +1200
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Week 17 at the Steelers: +1100
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Week 18 at the Broncos: +2200
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Undefeated regular season: +750
If they top the standings, the Chiefs will be the first team to go 17-0 in the regular season in NFL history.
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This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Kansas City Chiefs vs. History: How Other 9-0 Teams Compare, Plus Odds
