Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs points to the sidelines in celebration after throwing a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs points to the sidelines in celebration after throwing a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

124. . 12-4 record. . Kansas City Chiefs. 3. team

If only the Chiefs had a defense in 2018. Or, perhaps, if only Patrick Mahomes was allowed to touch the ball in overtime.

Well, if Kansas City’s defense did its job, Mahomes would have had a chance versus the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

Rules aside, it would have been wonderful to watch a Bears and Chiefs Super Bowl — an elite defense versus an all-world offense. Those are the kinds of matchups fans crave.

But despite boasting a league-leading 52 sacks in 2018, the Chiefs still surrendered the second most yardage in the entire NFL last season. This unit had all kinds of problems defending against the run. And when the pass rush couldn’t get home, now-fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s secondary couldn’t handle the load.

And with EDGE Dee Ford possibly leaving via free agency, Kansas City will need its offense to pick up where it left off last year, bailing out the defense all the while.

K.C. would be wise to literally invest every one of its NFL Draft picks on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Re-signing Ford would be a smart move, too, as pass-rushers are nearly as vital as quarterbacks.

At least Mahomes and the offense provided more than enough entertainment for everyone across the league.