With the Chiefs leading the league in average time of possession (33:01), the team’s offensive approach has helped the defense become a more dominant force. The unit plays fewer snaps and faces opponents who are challenged to do more with fewer opportunities. As a result, the Chiefs rank fourth in total defense and fifth in scoring D, making this the fifth time in six seasons that they have ranked among the top 10 in points allowed.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo utilizes a high-pressure scheme featuring exotic blitzes to befuddle quarterbacks and opposing play-callers. The Chiefs have the No. 1 blitz rate on third down (52%), with the mad scientist frequently attacking opponents with all-out blitzes featuring Cover 0 in the back end. The blitz-centric scheme has helped Kansas City not allow a single 300-yard passer or 100-yard rusher this season. With every opponent thus far held to 25 points or fewer, the defense dominates by owning the critical areas determining who wins and loses each week.

From a personnel standpoint, the Chiefs have assembled a fine lineup to match the defensive play-caller’s scheme. Spagnuolo’s blitz-heavy tactics make it imperative to have front-line defenders with non-stop motors and back-seven defenders with superb coverage skills. Given the individual and collective skills of Jones, George Karlaftis, Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill and Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs challenge foes at every level with a defense built on talent, toughness and tactical excellence.

Though Kansas City’s offensive and defensive production garner headlines, the team’s success in the third phase cannot be overlooked. I already mentioned Butker, who’s one of the very best kickers in the league. And actually, Thursday’s news that he’ll miss the next month or so due to a knee issue is indeed a big hit to the league’s last remaining undefeated team. But the contributions from Dave Toub’s special teams go far beyond one man’s leg. The Chiefs have a knack for making plays on special teams when the game hangs in the balance. Remember Kadarius Toney’s massive punt return late in Super Bowl LVII? Or how about this past Sunday, when Leo Chenal preserved Kansas City’s perfect record by blocking a 35-yard field goal attempt? Toub’s units routinely deliver game-changing plays. Not to mention, the underappreciated aspects of field-flipping punts and suffocating kick coverage — stuff that further fuels the Chiefs’ complementary football approach, leading to narrow wins against energized opponents hoping to knock off the reigning champs.

Heading to Buffalo this weekend for a massive showdown with the 8-2 Bills, the Chiefs once again find themselves squarely in the spotlight. Although the league’s heavyweights have seemingly closed the gaps on Kansas City, this team just keeps doing everything possible to continue chalking up Ws in various ways. With most NFL games decided by eight points or fewer, the Chiefs’ calculated approach could produce a three-peat that makes the rest of the league re-examine game-planning methods.