Chiefs in Spotlight: Low Watchability Ranking Sparks Debate Despite 15-2 Run
The Kansas City Chiefs piled up a 15-2 record last season, with one of their two regular-season losses coming when most starters rested. Yet their on-field drama didn’t translate into high television appeal, at least in ESPN analyst Ben Solak’s view. Solak slots Kansas City 30th on his list of the most watchable teams, with only the Saints and Browns ranked below them.
Solak’s verdict centers on the Chiefs’ lack of explosive plays. He notes that Kansas City sits 28th in explosive pass rate and 30th in explosive rush rate, a combination that tends to sap the excitement from a game even when the outcome is in doubt. Still, he offers a glimmer of optimism for 2025, saying the team could become more entertaining if several pieces click.
“Even Patrick Mahomes’ magic was not enough to make those games enjoyable to view. But this season should be better if Rashee Rice is back to full strength after his suspension, if Xavier Worthy takes the next step as a deep threat, if Marquise Brown is healthy, and if Travis Kelce can turn back the clock and recover some explosiveness. Just four big ‘ifs’ for the Chiefs to be watchable again.”
For Chiefs fans, the watchability debate may be secondary to the ongoing pursuit of Super Bowl titles. Kansas City remains a perennial contender, with Mahomes driving the offense and a history of late-game comebacks. The reality is that many of the Chiefs’ 2024 wins came down to the final minutes, reinforcing a reputation for drama rather than blowouts.
If there’s a takeaway, it’s that watchability is a moving target tied to explosiveness, health, and play design. The Chiefs have the talent to flip the script in 2025, but much will hinge on the development of Rice and Worthy, the health of Brown, and Kelce’s ability to rekindle the big-play potential that defined much of Mahomes’ early career.
Summary: Kansas City’s 2024 season produced a sterling record but a low watchability ranking from a prominent analyst, who points to a lack of explosive plays as the main factor. The path to a more engaging 2025 hinges on health and the continued emergence of key playmakers around Mahomes, with four notable “ifs” guiding expectations.
Additional thoughts:
– The debate over watchability highlights the evolving balance between close, competitive games and high-scoring, explosive showcases. If the Chiefs can inject more big plays into their offense, that could lift viewing appeal without sacrificing their edge in close games.
– Offseason development and health will be critical. The four players named—Rice, Worthy, Brown, and Kelce—could dramatically shift how dynamic Kansas City looks on national broadcasts in 2025.
– Fans can remain hopeful that a combination of improved explosiveness and continued clutch performance will keep the Chiefs in the championship conversation while also making the games more compelling to watch.