By Mark "The Guru" Miller

Can Kansas City be stopped? Probably not, in the regular season at least. The Chiefs, the NFL’s only undefeated team, keep displaying their strength week after week on both offense and defense. Success on both sides of the ball is the biggest difference between their 8-8 showing last year and their 9-0 start this year. The Chiefs made many good free agent acquisitions during the off-season that tranformed their defense from a pathetic unit to championship material.

Will anyone contest their undefeated season? Chances are very slim. The rest of their season breaks down like this: Cincinnati (4-5), Oakland (2-7), San Diego (2-7), Denver (5-4), Detroit (3-6), Minnesota (6-3) and Chicago (3-6). Only two of their final seven opponents have a winning record, but both of those teams are on three-game losing streaks. So the Chiefs don’t have a very grueling schedule ahead. Unless something devastating happens, (e.g. Holmes gets hurt again) it seems they may be joining the ’72 Dolphins as one of the only two undefeated teams since the AFL-NFL merger.

Will Kansas City win the Super Bowl? Honestly, I don’t think that they will even make it to the NFL’s championship game. I believe that the AFC representative will be the Tennessee Titans. Yes, I know they have two losses, but they also have the potential MVP in quarterback Steve McNair. Their defense in the last few weeks has been displaying their true strength and, with McNair playing phenomenally, they will be a force to reckon with for the rest of the season and playoffs.

So the Chiefs probably will go 17-0 until they meet the Titans in the AFC Championship game where they will suffer their first, and final, loss of the season.

Midway through the NFL regular season, here are how Super Bowl hopes are beginning to shape up for a few top teams:

Top five NFL Teams

1. Tennessee Titans (7-2):
With a healthy McNair and tough defense, Tennessee will be a tough team to beat. Since the Titans’ receivers finally learned how to catch the ball, their passing game has been brutally effective. They also have ol’ reliable running back Eddie George. Sure, he doesn’t rush for 100+ yards a game anymore, but when you need a yard or two he is their go-to guy.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0):
I know you’re thinking, “Why are these guys number two?” Well, it was a tough decision and whoever wins in the playoffs between the Titans and the Chiefs more than likely will take home the Lombardi Trophy. I just don’t think that the Kansas City defense will be able to figure out McNair and the Tennessee offense.

3. Carolina Panthers (7-2):
Finally, Carolina went out and got an offensive player to help out their great defense. Running back Stephen Davis was definitely the best acquisition made by any team this season. He adds a 1,000 yard rusher to the mix as well as important leadership. Although he’s hurt right now, the Panthers can still win against the defending champs of all teams. So, with Davis and that defense they could be the NFC champs.

4. Indianapolis Colts (7-2):
Even though they lost to Jacksonville, they still are a great team. When everything is clicking both offensively and defensively the Colts are unstoppable. They have the strongest offensive trio in the league in Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison. When all three of them are unstoppable they can score a lot, but when one of them is hurting and their defense is struggling, Indianapolis is vulnerable.

5. Dallas Cowboys (7-2):
Yes, the ’Boys are back. Well-traveled new coach Bill Parcells has given this team life again. With their great defense and a consistent offense they should win their division, although that will be it. Don’t look for Parcells to make a miracle happen in his first season with the ’Boys.

On the other hand, some teams are already basically eliminated from the playoff picture altogether.

The Cellar Dwellers

28. Detroit Lions (3-6):
Well, at least these guys show promise every once in awhile. But until they become consistent on both sides of the ball they will stay in this category.

29. Chicago Bears (3-6):
Kordell Stewart? What were they thinking? They need to get Rex Grossman in there at quarterback and keep him there — and dump Stewart.

30. Arizona Cardinals (3-6):
Did they think tailback Emmitt Smith would be their savior? He is the best rusher ever, but needs to retire. Until these guys get some playmakers they will be continue to struggle.

31. Atlanta Falcons (2-7):
Without quarterback Michael Vick these guys are nothing. So until Vick is back and 100 percent, Atlanta will have a hard time trying to win.

32. Oakland Raiders (2-7):
Who would have thought that the defending AFC champs would become the worst team in the league? I think their arthritis is setting in. These guys need to start thinking about the future and bring in some young talent.

If you have any questions or you want to ask the Guru about anything related to football email me at Mark.Miller@oberlin.edu and I will try to answer them in my next article.