The Kansas City Chiefs are still keeping their heads slightly above water in the race for a playoff spot, with Andy Reid's team in postseason mode already.
The back-to-back losses to the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos had many doubting whether Kansas City would make the postseason at all, but the franchise kept its season alive with an overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts.
And that was thanks to Patrick Mahomes delivering in the fourth quarter and overtime, leading three scoring drives.
But the Chiefs are still in a perilous position as it pertains to their season, but for ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, when asked who is the most important player in the season's final six weeks, he landed on Mahomes.
"Other quarterbacks have been pushing Mahomes for the top spot for a few years now," Fowler wrote. "But Mahomes still has the fear factor. Opposing coaches absolutely hate to face him. And he seems to be rallying at the right time."
More: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes gets odd QB ranking after Colts OT win
Uneven Chiefs still holds fear for AFC
Yes, the Chiefs might be 6-5 and struggling for their playoff lives, but there is a reason why the rest of the NFL wants Kansas City to miss the playoffs altogether.
They are still scared of Mahomes and Reid.
Even if the Chiefs sneak into the postseason as the seventh seed, no one will want to play the Chiefs simply because of the aura the franchise has in big games. Yes, they haven't shown up consistently in the regular season, but the playoffs? You will be hard-pressed to find anyone who would pick against them in any game.
But they have to make it first, and in truth, it likely all lands on Mahomes' shoulders, and if he can take this struggling team to the playoffs, Kansas City will be in form and ready to once again roll through the AFC en route to another Super Bowl appearance.
That's why they're scary.
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