text: Identically to 2017, the Chiefs started out the season 5–0 and then lost their following game to an AFC juggernaut, this time to the New England Patriots in primetime. During this stretch, Patrick Mahomes threw ten touchdown passes in his first two games and four more over the next three. This was the start of an incredible campaign for the 23-year-old, as he finished the season with over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, being the second quarterback in NFL history to accomplish that feat, only behind Peyton Manning. After the Chiefs fell to the Patriots, they then won their next four to sit at 9–1 heading into their game against the also 9–1 Los Angeles Rams. While Patrick Mahomes threw six touchdown passes and led his team to over 50 points, he also had five turnovers and the Chiefs became the first team in NFL history to lose a game while also scoring 50 points or more, as the Chiefs lost 54–51. The Chiefs then won their next two games to clinch a playoff berth in Week 14 as they were able to beat the Baltimore Ravens in overtime and sit at 11–2 on the season. Only needing a victory to secure a first-round bye and a third consecutive AFC West title, the Chiefs fell short against the Los Angeles Chargers and fell to 11–3 on the season as they lost 29–28. After the Chargers lost the following Saturday to the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs only needed to beat the Seattle Seahawks to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC and an AFC West title. The Chiefs, however, fell short and lost 38–31. Now sitting at 11–4 and only needing to beat the Oakland Raiders to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC but also having the risk of falling all the way to the #5 seed, the Chiefs walloped the 4–11 Oakland Raiders 35–3, and clinched their third consecutive AFC West title and the #1 seed in the AFC for the first time since 1997.