Chiefs, Pats back where they belong

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are back in a familiar spot. Same for Bill Belichick and the Patriots.

The Chiefs and Patriots have surged to first place in their respective divisions with monthlong winning streaks. The Colts, 49ers and Eagles have also turned things around in November.

In the NFL’s longest season, counting teams out before Halloween was premature.

The Chiefs beat the Cowboys 19-9 on Sunday for their fourth straight victory since a 27-3 loss to the Titans on Oct. 24. They now lead the jumbled AFC West by a half-game over the Chargers (6-4) and should be favorites to win their sixth straight division title.

Mahomes had a career-low passer rating against the Titans and some people were questioning if the 26-year-old had already played his best football in his first four seasons when he won an NFL MVP award and a Super Bowl MVP trophy in consecutive years.

Since then, Mahomes has seven TD passes and only two interceptions during the Chiefs’ four-game winning streak that has been fueled by a suddenly stingy defense that has allowed just 11.8 points per game in that span. The unit allowed just three field goals to Dak Prescott and the league’s top-ranked offense.

“Since the second half of the Tennessee game, those guys have been playing better,” Mahomes said of the defense. “It got lost because the offense wasn’t playing very well. We were winning games because of our defense and people were so used to our offense going out and putting up these numbers. But every weekend I was right here at the podium saying don’t lose track of how good our defense is playing. To go up against an offense like the (Cowboys) that has put up so many yards and scores, and shut it down, that’s impressive.”

If the Chiefs’ improved defense continues to play well, Mahomes and Co., could be playing in the Super Bowl for the third year in a row.

One of the top teams standing in their way will be the Patriots, a scenario nobody could’ve envisioned when the team opened the season 2-4. Back then, it seemed the Patriots’ wild, spending frenzy in free agency was wasted money. But the Patriots kicked off Week 11 with a 25-0 road win against the Falcons on Thursday night. The Pats (7-4) have won five in a row behind a strong defense and solid play from rookie quarterback Mac Jones. After a rare losing season, they’re back leading the AFC East.

The Colts started 0-3 with new QB Carson Wentz coming over from the Eagles after a dismal season that looked like it would carry over to his new home. But Wentz has been steady — 18 TDs, three picks — and the Colts have won six of their last eight. Jonathan Taylor was spectacular in a 41-15 road win against the Bills on Sunday, scoring five TDs. At 6-5, the Colts are in the playoff race.

The 49ers were 2-4 after losing four in a row and many were wondering when coach Kyle Shanahan would bench Jimmy Garoppolo for rookie Trey Lance. But Shanahan stuck with Garoppolo after the worst game of his career in a 30-18 loss to the Colts and the veteran has responded with a string of strong performances. Garoppolo has posted a passer rating over 100 in four straight games, leading the 49ers to three wins.

The 49ers are one of three teams tied at 5-5 vying for wild-card spots.

A month ago, half of Philadelphia wanted rookie coach Nick Sirianni fired for using a flower analogy to motivate his 2-5 team. Riding the legs of Jalen Hurts and a commitment to the run, the Eagles (5-6) have won three of four. With a favorable schedule left, the Eagles have a real shot to make a playoff push.

For some teams, it takes more time to bloom.