NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

Granted, Kansas City was without safety Eric Berry (foot) for the contest. And the Chargers offense is still pretty potent.

That said, the Chiefs defense didn’t exactly look sharp down the stretch despite head coach Andy Reid’s squad holding onto the 38-28 victory at the StubHub Center in Southern California.

But when second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes is lighting up the field, using weapons like wide receiver Tyreek Hill, it doesn’t matter. Any questions about whether Mahomes would crack under the pressure of his first meaningful NFL start evaporated in Week 1, and he finished with an impressive 256-yard, four-touchdown performance on the day.

Seems like the Chiefs made the right move giving him the reins and trading off Alex Smith.

Trading off cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams this offseason, however, doesn’t appear as smart. Again, that Kansas City defense was torched through the air to the tune of 424 yards by Philip Rivers.

For K.C., though, this crucial AFC West victory helps keep Reid’s team right in the discussion of seizing the division away from what is appearing to be a three-squad race in 2018.

Good to win one right out of the gate against a division rival.