For the first time since Patrick Mahomes became quarterback, the Chiefs are enjoying a 7-0 record and look to continue this winning streak in their Week 9 match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football.”

This represents a new experience for a team that has appeared in four Super Bowls in the past five years, emerging victorious in three.

Despite facing several significant injuries on the offensive side, including two-time MVP Mahomes dealing with an unusual number of interceptions and a dip in his yards per game, the Chiefs have a viable chance at an undefeated season in 2024. Their defense remains robust, supporting an offense that makes just enough plays to secure victories. Notably, five of their seven wins have been by a margin of eight points or less.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the unique position to pursue an undefeated season for the first time with Mahomes as their quarterback. Here’s what they need to do.

Can the Kansas City Chiefs Achieve an Undefeated Record?

Mathematically, it’s within reach, but it won’t be easy. Out of the nine remaining games on their schedule after Week 9, only three are against teams that currently have a losing record.

Most Challenging Games Ahead for the Chiefs

There are three games that could likely result in losses: at Buffalo in Week 11, home against Houston in Week 16, and at Pittsburgh in Week 17.

The rivalry between the Bills and the Chiefs has grown to be a highlight in the AFC, with seven matchups between the two in the last four seasons. Kansas City has a record of 1-3 in these regular-season games but has beaten Buffalo in each playoff encounter. The Bills boast a top-10 offense and defense again this year, and their quarterback, Josh Allen, is having an exceptionally efficient season with only four turnovers in nine games.

Houston has stumbled in two of their last three games but may be in better shape by the time they face Kansas City in December. They are expected to have their primary receiver Nico Collins back, as well as defensive starters Azeez Al-Shaair and Jimmie Ward, who were sidelined due to injury during their recent Week 9 loss.

Pittsburgh will host the Chiefs shortly after Kansas City plays Houston, giving them a short week to prepare. The Steelers feature the top defense on the Chiefs’ schedule and an offense that’s steadily improving. However, Pittsburgh will have just come off a tough road game against Baltimore the week before.

It’s uncertain whether Kansas City will even be in contention for an undefeated record towards the end of the season; they might secure the division title and top seed in the AFC playoffs before Christmas, which could lead to resting key players in the last couple of games, possibly resulting in a loss.

Kansas City Chiefs Remaining Schedule

• Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football”
• Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos
• Week 11: at Buffalo Bills
• Week 12: at Carolina Panthers
• Week 13: vs. Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday
• Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Chargers on “Sunday Night Football”
• Week 15: at Cleveland Browns
• Week 16: vs. Houston Texans
• Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day
• Week 18: at Denver Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs Win Total Odds

According to BetMGM’s latest NFL odds, the Chiefs are projected to have the highest win total. Here’s how their odds appear heading into Week 9’s “Monday Night Football” matchup:

• Win total over/under:14.5
  • Over (-110)
  • Under (-110)
• To make playoffs
  • Yes (-10000)
  • No (+5000)
• To win AFC West: -5000
• Be the AFC’s top seed: -350
• To make Super Bowl LIX: +195
• To win Super Bowl LIX: +425

The odds suggest that a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions is currently favored to occur in Super Bowl LIX at +900.

Undefeated Teams in NFL History

Just one team has gone through a complete season undefeated: the 1972 Miami Dolphins, who achieved a 17-0 record in both the regular season and playoffs, culminating in Super Bowl VII. The Dolphins successfully defended their title the following season but haven’t won the Super Bowl since.

The only other team to finish the regular season without a loss is the 2007 New England Patriots, who ended at 16-0. They matched the NFL record for total wins in a single season (including playoffs) at 18 but lost in Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants.

Throughout the Super Bowl era (since 1966), there have been 14 teams that ended the regular season with only one loss. The most recent was the 2015 Carolina Panthers, who finished 15-1 and reached Super Bowl 50, only to be defeated by the Denver Broncos.