Did Seattle Reveal the Blueprint to Beat the Chiefs?

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Pushing The Odds with Matt Perrault

Did Seattle Reveal the Blueprint for Beating the Chiefs?

Seattle may have shown the rest of the league how to beat the Chiefs. Although replicating Seattle’s defensive performance is difficult, the strategy matched what Pat Fitzmaurice and I discussed when we both backed Seattle on our Betting Pros show.

The expectation was that Kenneth Walker would be the focal point of Mike McDonald’s defense, forcing someone else to win the game for Kansas City. Walker later left the field without shaking anyone’s hand, which was not a great look for him.

The Chiefs currently lack another player who can consistently take over a game. Travis Kelsey appears to be aging quickly, and there is no clear wide receiver threat to support Patrick Mahomes.

That raises a surprising question: Is the way to beat Kansas City in 2026 simply to stop the run and force Mahomes and the passing attack to win? Based on the current offense, that is not a particularly intimidating proposition.

It sounds strange to suggest making Mahomes beat you because of the public perception surrounding him. However, his quarterback play has not matched the accolades he has received over the past three seasons. He has struggled as a deep-ball passer, while much of the offense has relied on scrambling, short throws and yards after the catch.

That approach has worked at times, but it does not mean Mahomes has been playing at an incredibly high level. The pass-catching group around him has also aged and declined. Andy Reid has struggled to draft a wide receiver, the Chiefs have not found answers through signings, and the organization continues to treat the position as if it will be fine.