Copyright newsweek
After a 0-2 start to the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs have rattled off wins in five of their last six games. As a result of their impressive play as of late, former Denver Broncos star Aqib Talib now believes Kansas City has reclaimed their spot as the AFC’s top contender. Some were quick to predict that the Chiefs may not even be the best team in their own division after their 0-2 start. Since then, Patrick Mahomes and company have quickly changed the trajectory for their season in short order. The past two weeks, the Kansas City offense has been particularly impressive with the return of Rashee Rice. They outscored their Week 7 and 8 opponents by a whopping 52 combined points. While Kansas City still trails behind the Denver Broncos in the uber-competitive AFC West, the Chiefs have certainly passed the eye test in recent weeks as true contenders. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 27: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) More news: Texas’ Steve Sarkisian Receives Blunt Warning About Titans Coaching Job Even Aqib Talib, who you would expect to sing the praises of the Broncos given his past allegiances, had to give props to the Chiefs, calling them the favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LX this coming February. “Definitely, they are the Chiefs first of all,” said Talib when asked directly whether the Chiefs could be Super Bowl favorites. “Anytime it is Big Red and Pat Mahomes, they live in the chip. So how can they not be one of the favorites to be in the chip? Now, when I say favorites, I mean to be in the chip in the AFC. The Eagles are the favorite to be the chip in the NFC. They are healthy, they look explosive. Even with the two turnovers last night, I never got worried. They just look real explosive. “And the defense, I love how the defense is playing right now. That”s what is going to get them there. It’s always Andy Reid, Patty, they get a lot of the shine. But when their defense is playing good, that’s when they win Super Bowls. And their defense is playing really good right now. I think they have got to be one of the favorites.” "They have gone to the AFC Championship 7 years in a row. Won the AFC West 9 years in a row. The AFC runs through the Chiefs."@CodyKessler6 & @AqibTalib21 agree that Kansas City is still the main threat in the AFC this season. pic.twitter.com/4NDz2eLqND— The Arena: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) October 28, 2025 More news: Saints Make Major Quarterback Decision Ahead of Rams Game It’s hard to disagree with anything Talib said here about the Chiefs. Given the way they are playing and their proven track record of success in the postseason over the years, it certainly seems like they are set up in a prime position to contend for another Super Bowl. Kansas City’s upcoming schedule will be quite telling in regard to just how great the Chiefs truly are, as they have three fellow AFC contenders coming up in the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, the Denver Broncos in Week 11, and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. If they are able to win all of these games, there would be virtually no real argument against Kansas City being the top contender in the conference moving forward. So it will certainly be interesting to see whether they can ride this building momentum they have in the next few weeks. For more on the Kansas City Chiefs and all things around the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
