The Kansas City Chiefs are starting to look like the team from the beginning of the Patrick Mahomes era. The offense has been on a tear as of late, averaging 32.3 points during the last four games.

In the 31-0 win against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, the Chiefs had more points than the Raiders did total plays on offense.

To put up that type of performance means both the offense and the defense is playing well. The defense has continued to improve each week. The defense won't be facing Jayden Daniels on Monday Night Football in Week 8 though, as Ian Rapoport reported he is out.

With Daniels out, the Chiefs will be going up against Commanders backup, Marcus Mariota.

Mariota is a veteran who has played a ton of football, including this season. On the year, he has thrown for 426 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions as he has started two games this year. 

He went into the game on Sunday against the Cowboys, and finished 4-of-10 for 63 yards.

While he isn't the player that Daniels is, Mariota is still a serviceable backup in the NFL. He has the ability to make plays with his legs, and he allows the Commanders to run Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

For the Commanders, they enter this game extremely beat up on the offensive side of the ball. Besides Daniels, star players such as Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have missed a lot of time and are questionable for this game.

The Chiefs struggled in the opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on defense, but they have been very good since then.

They are currently ranked 3rd in points allowesd (17.7 PPG), 4th in passing (174.6 yards) and 5th in total yards (280.3 yards).

Coach Steve Spagnuolo is one of the best defensive coordinators ever, and he does a terrific job of getting his defenses to improve through the season. He is also outstanding at taking away an opponent's strength, and making them have to win in a different way.

Much of the talk right now about Kansas City is how the offense has looked, and rightfully so. During the Mahomes era, the Chiefs have either had an explosive offense or a dominant defense. There is still a long ways to go this year, but there is a case that this could be the best overall team they have had with Mahomes.