ql.“It’s hard to believe, but it seems like this season no one is afraid of Chiefs anymore — everyone is beating them, from the top team to the bottom team.”

1. High Expectations — and Reality Starts to Shake

Heading into the 2025 season, the Chiefs entered the season as one of the top contenders for the title. They were three-time AFC champions under coach Andy Reid and with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes

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However, opening the season 0-2 (their first since 2014) raised big questions.

As a result, they are now 4-3, third in the AFC West.

Kansas City Chiefs

So the big question: “Why are they getting beaten so easily from a force to be reckoned with? Why are opponents no longer ‘satisfied’ with just avoiding defeat?”

2. Signs that opponents are taking the Chiefs for granted
   2.1 Wins against strong teams and weak teams

This season, many teams — even those considered “underdogs” compared to the Chiefs — have found ways to take them down. While we haven’t compiled a full breakdown of all the games, one notable example is the Chiefs’ surprise loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5, 31-28.

2.2 Mistakes, internal issues

– Mahomes admitted: “we’ve lost too many games.”
The Sun

– Before the season, they lost a key defensive player: Felix Anudike‑Uzomah went on IR due to injury.
Wikipedia

– Current team stats show: they’re still pretty good offensively (e.g., scoring an average of ~26.6 points per game) but also giving up ~17.7 points per game, and showing signs of instability.

2.3 Opponents believe they can beat Chiefs

When a previously strong team like Chiefs is beaten more easily, it means: opponents start to believe they can beat them — instead of just “holding on” to lose the least. This is a very important psychological sign.

3. Decoding the reasons: Why are “people” no longer afraid of Chiefs?

3.1 High expectation effect → vice versa

When you are a really strong team, opponents may be better prepared. Chiefs have won a lot in previous seasons, so opponents will learn and find ways. At the same time, if Chiefs have a weak start, the psychological effect is reduced.

3.2 Personnel changes / injuries / discord

The loss of Anudike-Uzomah by Chiefs, combined with the team having many small problems (wrong penalties, losing the ball, inconsistent playing choices) makes opponents start to feel “not invincible”. Mahomes and his teammates acknowledge that.

3.3 The Change in Opponent Psychology

Once a few “tough” teams can beat you — the tide changes. Teams below the line come in with a “we have a chance” mentality instead of just going on the defensive. If you “lose” to weaker teams, your reputation suffers.

4. Is it true that “every team has won against them from start to finish”?

Let’s be clear: not really every team — but there are enough instances where the “no one is afraid” feeling is valid. The facts:

The Chiefs are 4-3, not in a dominant position.

The data shows: opponents can score points, can “attack” them — no longer a “we’ll defend and find a way to survive” mentality.

Despite a big 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders — they still have their moments of strength.

– But winning big doesn’t erase the feeling that “anyone can beat them this year”.

So the metaphor “every team from the top to the bottom” isn’t necessarily accurate game-by-game, but the statement “no team is afraid of them anymore” is logical at this point.

5. The consequences for Chiefs — and what they need to do

5.1 Problems with yourself

Psychology: When challengers don’t fear you — you won’t be respected in the game, you’ll be challenged more by opponents.

Image: The team that used to be “opponents to be wary of” is now seen as … “with a chance of being beaten”.

Tactics: Opponents will prepare better, probe you more, and no longer be afraid of “avoid losing”.

5.2 Possible solutions

Return to the nature that helped them succeed: be stable in the roster, handle mistakes less, play with high confidence but not complacency.

Strengthen game management: avoid being put in a “just expect to win” situation and have to show “invincibility” every week.

Opponents study them a lot — Chiefs need to innovate to avoid being predictable.

Rebuild the spirit: Make opponents remember the feeling of “fear of meeting Chiefs”.

6. Conclusion

The saying: “It’s hard to believe, but it seems like this season no one is afraid of the Chiefs anymore — everyone is beating them, from the top team to the bottom team” — basically fits the current feeling of the season. Although not game by game, team by team, the feeling is clear: opponents now come to Chiefs with the mindset of “we have a chance to win” instead of “try not to lose”.

The Chiefs — with their talent and history — have the ability to reverse this trend. But they need to act now, from psychological to tactical, if they do not want to be seen as “we will beat them” instead of “we fear them”.