Shannon Sharpe Declares: “Mahomes Is the Gold Standard — The Chiefs Are Still the NFL’s Best Team!”

The Kansas City Chiefs have reclaimed their place atop the NFL hierarchy, and according to Shannon Sharpe, much of the credit belongs to their superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. After a dominant victory that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive suffocation, Sharpe didn’t hesitate to call Mahomes “the standard” for NFL quarterbacks and the Chiefs “the best team in the league.”

Chiefs Dominate in Statement Win

Kansas City’s most recent performance was nothing short of a clinic. With Rashee Rice returning to the lineup, Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid wasted no time getting the ball into the hands of their playmakers. The result? The best the Chiefs have looked in a long time.

Patrick Mahomes’ stat line:
– 26 completions on 35 attempts
– 286 yards
– 3 touchdowns
– 0 turnovers

The Chiefs ran the ball 41 times for 152 yards, displaying a balanced attack that kept the defense off balance. Travis Kelce contributed three catches for 54 yards, while Rice hauled in seven receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns. The distribution didn’t stop there: Smith, Taquan Thornton, Juju, Xavier Worthy, Noah Gray, and Hollywood Brown all made impactful plays, with Brown also snagging a touchdown.

A Complete Team Effort

What made the Chiefs’ win even more impressive was the sheer dominance on both sides of the ball. The numbers tell the story:

– Chiefs First Downs: 30
– Raiders First Downs: 3
– Chiefs Total Plays: 75
– Raiders Total Plays: 30
– Chiefs Total Yards: 434
– Raiders Total Yards: 95
– Time of Possession: Chiefs—42:08, Raiders—less than 18 minutes

As Shannon Sharpe humorously noted, “The Chiefs had as many first downs as the Raiders had total plays.” The Chiefs’ defense was smothering, holding the Raiders to 0-for-7 on third downs and 0-for-1 on fourth. It was a performance that made the Raiders look outmatched and outclassed.

Mahomes: Still the Standard

Sharpe was effusive in his praise for Mahomes, highlighting his return to MVP-level form:
“Mahomes is starting to look like he did three, four years ago. He’s not turning the ball over. When he takes care of the football, the Chiefs are almost impossible to beat.”

With 14 touchdowns to just two interceptions so far this season, Mahomes’ efficiency and creativity are once again the engine driving Kansas City’s success. His no-look passes, ability to extend plays, and unselfish distribution keep the offense unpredictable and nearly unstoppable.

Health, Depth, and Chemistry

The Chiefs’ early-season struggles are now a distant memory. With key players returning to health, the offense is firing on all cylinders. Rashee Rice has solidified himself as the No. 1 receiver, while Xavier Worthy and Taquan Thornton have grown in their roles. Juju remains a reliable option, and the running game provides balance.

Sharpe emphasized the importance of health and depth:
“Everybody’s back healthy. Now they’re having fun. You got Rice back, Worthy stepped up, Thornton is showing why he was a second-round pick. And Mahomes is Mahomes.”

Defense: The Unsung Hero

While the offense garners headlines, the Chiefs’ defense has quietly become one of the league’s best units. Their ability to get stops, force turnovers, and control the tempo complements Mahomes’ aggressive style. As Sharpe noted, “If Mahomes doesn’t turn it over, the Chiefs are almost impossible to beat.”

The AFC Landscape: Chiefs Set the Pace

The Chiefs’ resurgence has come at a time when many doubted them after an 0-2 start. Now, with four straight wins and all phases clicking, Kansas City looks like the team to beat in the AFC—and perhaps the entire NFL.

Sharpe summed up the sentiment:
“When the Chiefs look like this and the defense is playing like they’re playing… they’re the best team in the NFL.”

Conclusion: Mahomes and the Chiefs Are Back

Patrick Mahomes continues to set the gold standard for quarterbacks, and the Chiefs—healthy, deep, and confident—are once again the NFL’s most complete team. With Andy Reid’s creativity, Mahomes’ brilliance, and a defense that can dominate, Kansas City is poised for another deep playoff run.

For now, the message is clear: As long as Mahomes is under center and the Chiefs play to their potential, the road to the Super Bowl still runs through Kansas City.