Chiefs have all the right moves

The Kansas City Chiefs won on Thursday night, showcasing this is a team that won’t be going down easily come January … or February.

On Thursday night, Kansas City ran its record to 10-3 with a convincing 21-13 win. In the process of beating Oakland for the second time this season, some narratives were shattered, while more were created.

There were those who said the Chiefs could only win if they won the turnover battle. On Thursday, Kansas City lost two fumbles and an interceptions inside its own 40-yard line. The Raiders did not turn the ball over. The result of those turnovers? Two field goals and a botched snap on another attempted kick.

As for created storylines, there was a thought lingering on social media that Kansas City only won because of Derek Carr’s pinky. Funny how that works. Carr lit up the Buffalo Bills last week for 29 points in the second half, dropping dimes left and right. This week, his pinky hurts and Kelechi Osemele’s absence was all the difference.

Meanwhile, Kansas City watched Derrick Johnson go down with a ruptured Achilles tendon in the second quarter. The Chiefs also played without Jamaal Charles, Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey, Justin March-Lillard, Josh Mauga and Parker Ehinger. Other than that, Kansas City was 100 percent healthy.

Here’s the narrative-free truth: the Chiefs are really, really good.

Kansas City has won 20 of its last 23 regular season games. Only the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys have better records this year, and neither has come close to facing the quality that the Chiefs have. Kansas City has won two games against a 10-3 Oakland team, along with road wins against the defending NFC champions, the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.

Last night was dominant. Forget the 8-point differential and take it from someone who was there in the flesh. Kansas City took the Raiders by the proverbial throat and squeezed. It never felt like Oakland was truly going to win that game, even during its final drive. The Chiefs have the right stuff to make a huge run, maybe even a championship run.

Like every team, the Chiefs have warts. Alex Smith isn’t Aaron Rodgers and the running game goes in fits. The defense allows yards at times and Andy Reid is always good for a few mind-numbing calls per game.

All that said, Kansas City is a real Super Bowl contender. The Chiefs are not going away. Get used to it.