A weekly examination of the Chiefs' ESPN.com Power Ranking:

Preseason: 19 | Last Week: 7 | ESPN.com Power Ranking since 2002

These are the perils of playing one of the NFL's worst teams. The Kansas City Chiefs went on the road Sunday and returned with a 45-10 victory. But because it happened against the feeble Washington Redskins, it was almost as if it didn't happen in the ESPN Power Rankings.

The Chiefs retained their No. 7 spot. Even with the lopsided win against the Redskins, the Chiefs are where they belong in the rankings. They're immediately behind the No. 5 San Francisco 49ers, who beat the Seattle Seahawks over the weekend, and the No. 6 Carolina Panthers, who lost at the New Orleans Saints, but have recent victories over the 49ers and New England Patriots.

The Chiefs have just one victory over an opponent currently ranked in the top 10 -- a September win against the No. 9 Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs may not move in the rankings even if they beat the Raiders in Oakland on Sunday. The Raiders are 28th in this week's rankings.