Not often in the Patrick Mahomes era have the Chiefs looked up in the AFC West standing this late in the season. But here they are in third place with a 5-4 record, making Sunday’s game at the first-place Denver Broncos critical to their division chances. On SportsBeat KC, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell discuss the game and what it will take for the Chiefs to capture a 10th straight AFC West title — and if rookie left tackle Josh Simmons returns this week, how much should he play? Also, Star soccer correspondent Daniel Sperry breaks down the crushing end to the KC Current’s playoff run, a loss to Gotham FC in the NWSL quarterfinals. Sports Beat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Randy Mason, Irvin Zhang, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.   

The Chiefs have crossed the halfway point of their schedule, and if the season ended today they wouldn’t be in the playoffs. It’s a strange place to be for the team that’s played in five of the last six Super Bowls. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, Star columnist Sam McDowell shares his thoughts on where thing stand with the Chiefs, starting with Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The sequence at the end of the first half in which the Chiefs settled for a field goal from the 1, was critical in the outcome, according to McDowell. As the Chiefs head into a bye week, we look at the second half of the season and speculate what it’s going to take to make the postseason for an 11th straight year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs keep rolling. They polished off the Washington Commanders 28-7 on Monday Night Football for their third straight victory and fifth in the last six games. It also sets them up nicely for a showdown on the road Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the triumph and look ahead to Sunday’s huge game against the Buffalo Bills. After a break, we discuss the big events in college football last weekend. The news was good for Kansas State. Not so much for Kansas and Missouri, not to mention a bunch of coaches who have been fired recently. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs won in a way NFL teams aren’t supposed to win. They dominated the Las Vegas Raiders in a 31-0 victory and held the visitors to three first downs and fewer than 100 total yards. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell explain how it happened and what it means for the Chiefs, who return to action on “Monday Night Football” against the Washington Commanders. Also, the Chiefs welcomed back receiver Rashee Rice — and he delivered a big game — but are still missing left tackle Josh Simmons, and now defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott could be lost for the season. The Sunflower Showdown arrives this weekend when Kansas State travels to Kansas. The Wildcats own a 16-game winning streak in the series, but beat writers Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha discuss why both teams are feeling pressure in this game. Check out this week’s podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs delivered their best performance of the season by defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Patrick Mahomes played like an MVP, and we know what looks like. The Chiefs defense held the Lions to less than half of their scoring total, and they got a solid performance from a new starter, left tackle Jaylon Moore. Columnist Sam McDowell Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney break it down on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR and looking ahead to the long-awaited return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who comes off his season-opening six-game suspension in time for Sunday’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Also, we discuss the latest developments in the Kansas City stadium story. What does it mean to have a new Jackson County executive? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs had control of their Monday Night Football game at Jacksonville, then lost it, regained it, and finally went down to defeat. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down what went wrong in the crushing 31-28 loss. In other topics, the FIFA World Cup in North America is ninth months away, and Kansas City will be part of the action. What progress has been made? KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer provides a snapshot of what’s been happening, and what needs to happen as Kansas City prepares for the world’s biggest sporting event. Missouri takes on Alabama on Saturday in one of the biggest college football games in the Tigers’ SEC era. We preview the college football weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs played a complete game and the Royals completed a season. Both are topics on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR. Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down Kansas City’s convincing 37-20 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens and what it means as they take on an a Jacksonville Jaguars team that suddenly looks rugged. The Royals finished their season with a winning record but missed the playoffs. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? And how does next year shape up? Beat writer Jaylon Thompson joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All fixed, right? The Chiefs won their first game this season, at the New York Giants on Sunday. It wasn’t artful but a much-needed victory, and the Chiefs might have found a weapon at wide receiver in the process. On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell break down the triumph near Gotham. and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens. Also, Star correspondent Daniel Sperry reviews the huge soccer weekend in Kansas City. He covers the Current, Sporting KC and the Premier League’s fan festival at the Power & Light District. Was the party at the P&L a preview of what Kansas City can expect with World Cup visitors next summer? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 0-2 Chiefs. That hasn’t happened since 2014, Andy Reid’s second year with the organization and three years before Kansas City drafted Patrick Mahomes. But that’s where the Chiefs stand two weeks into the NFL season with the latest loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell discuss the key factors in the Chiefs’ slow start, especially on the offensive side. When the strong-armed quarterback is the team’s leading rusher you know there are multiple issues. After a break, Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Vahe Gregorian set up the season’s final two weeks and break down the long odds of the Royals’ playoff chances. Hey, it’s late in the year and the Royals remain alive. But a second straight postseason appearance is a longshot...even with Salvador Perez reaching career milestones while improving his Hall of Fame credentials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs find themselves in a rare place, coming off a loss to open the season. They fell to the LA Chargers in Brazil last week and on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, the coverage team breaks down what went wrong. Beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian explain the problems on defense, as the Chargers built an early lead and held on to their first victory over the Chiefs since 2021. Patrick Mahomes was excellent but the Chiefs offense was dealt a major blow early in the game when wide receiver Xavier Worthy suffered a shoulder injury. We cover it all on SportsBeat KC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seven months after losing the Super Bowl, the Chiefs are back in action with the regular-season opener on Friday against the Los Angeles Chargers, in Sao Paulo, Brazil of all places. On SportsBeat KC, The Kansas City Star sports podcast, beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down what to expect from a team bidding for its fourth straight Super Bowl appearance. First, we review the roster moves over the past week that helped shape this team. After a break, we look ahead at how standouts like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and Isiah Pacheco will fare. Also, we submit our final record predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Football kicked off last weekend for KU and K-State and the Chiefs are counting down the days to their opener. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, we cover the college gridiron with beat writers Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha who covered games in remarkable settings, with mixed results from their teams. After a break, you’ll meet new Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney. He breaks down the Chiefs roster with Star columnist Sam McDowell and looks ahead to the Chiefs opener the following week against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Things are a little different as the Chiefs prepare for their third and final preseason game. In most years, reserves would get first-team snaps in practice. But this year, Andy Reid said he’ll play starters like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones to open Friday’s game at home against the Chicago Bears. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnists Vahe Gregorian and Sam McDowell discuss the change, and where the focus will be with the regular season opener two weeks away. Also, college football season opens this weekend and Kansas schools are front and center. Kansas State will meet Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, in the traditional first game. Later that day, Kansas opens its renovated stadium against Fresno State. Will the Kansas schools play up to their roles as favorites? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is trending up and down for Chiefs preseason? Breaking down Kansas City Chiefs' preseason opener. Who's trending? Insights on veterans, young players, and roster battles on SportsBeat KC podcast. Chiefs preseason, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL preseason, Chiefs roster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs will have had three weeks of training camp practices by the time the preseason opener at Arizona kicks off Saturday. “You get to see some different looks,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “It become real, and these guys are all competing for spots.” Who needs to have big moments to improve his stock? Star columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian discussed that topic and more on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast. Rookies, like first-round draft pick Josh Simmons, will get much attention Some veterans will as well, especially among non-starters. Also, McDowell and Gregorian determine if the Royals were winners or losers at the trade deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the All-Star break, Royals fans wondered if their team would be buyers or sellers. They answer was definitive. The Royals are in it to win it. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, columnist Vahe Gregorian breaks down the Royals’ decision to re-sign starting pitcher Seth Lugo, presumably the team’s biggest trade chip, while adding some punch to the lineup. It won’t be easy for the Royals, who are dealing with several injuries. But they’re giving themselves the best opportunity to be a playoff team. Also, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell provides the update from training camp at Missouri Western, where the offensive line is always a hot topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just as the Chiefs were preparing to open training camp, several personnel matters were decided. The Chiefs made Trey Smith the NFL’s highest paid guard with a four-year deal worth $94 million, and a few days later the team locked up defensive end George Karlaftis with a similar contract. Also, the Chiefs likely will soon know about the status of wide receiver Rashee Rice when it comes to the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Rice was sentenced to five years probation and 30 days jail time for his role in a chain reaction car crash in Dallas last year. Now, Rice and the team await word from the NFL on a suspension. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, Chiefs beat writer Jesse Newell broke down the recent news and the ramifications for the team bidding to reach a fourth straight Super Bowl as training camp opens at Missouri Western State University this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a remarkable first half of the season for the Kansas City Current. With the team, like the rest of the NWSL, on its international break, let’s take stock of where things stand. The Current is 11-2 and in first place by eight points. The team will take a six-game winning streak into the second half when league play resumes on Aug. 1. Temwa Chawinga, second in the league with eight goals, is bidding to become the NWSL’s first repeat MVP. The Current hasn’t been idle during the break. They’re in the midst of the Teal Rising Cup, a four-team tournament played at CPKC Stadium, and several of their players have been called up to national teams. The list includes defender Izzy Rodriguez, who chatted with The Star on its weekly sports podcast, SportsBeat KC. Rodriguez made the most of her first USWNT appearance with a goal against Ireland in a friendly. She shares her reaction that special moment and what it will take for the Current to continue its winning ways. Izzy Rodriguez shines for KC Current and in USWNT debut Also on the podcast, Star soccer writer Daniel Sperry breaks down the Current and also looks ahead to the season’s second half. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The future homes of the Chiefs and Royals is becoming a Border War. Missouri and Kansas have come up with incentives to build stadiums, or renovate Arrowhead for the Chiefs. The latest development: A letter from Chiefs President Mark Donovan asking Kansas to extend the deadline beyond June 30 for STAR bonds that would be used to pay for up to 70 percent of stadium projects. “Together,” Donovan write, “we have the opportunity to bring the National Football League to Kansas, anchored by a world-class domed stadium, new team headquarters, a state-of-the-art practice facility, and a vibrant mixed-use and entertainment district.” This comes on the heels of Missouri passing the Show-Me Sports Investment Act, which also sweetens the deal for the teams, paying up to half for the teams’ new homes. On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, veteran Kansas City sports writers Vahe Gregorian, Sam McDowell and Jesse Newell join host Blair Kerkhoff to break down the Border War competition for new or rebuilt stadiums that will cost in the billions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chiefs wrapped up mini-camp last week and a few items remain on the checklist for training camp, which begins at Missouri Western on July 22. Is left tackle settled as first-round draft pick Josh Simmons recovers from an injury? Will a deal get done with guard Trey Smith? Who is leading for the final couple of spots at wide receiver? On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast presented by Underdog, beat writer Jesse Newell and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian address those issues and more as the Chiefs head into a month off before reassembling in St. Joseph. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices