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(AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs have won two straight games heading into their off week.

Try to imagine that a few weeks back.

The Chiefs lost their first two games by a combined 89-10, but have started to look like the defending AFC West champions the past two weeks, with wins over Minnesota and Indianapolis.

There is a loose atmosphere in the locker room for the first time all season.

And while nobody was ready to give up on the season at 0-3, there is a tangible sense that Kansas City still has a realistic shot of defending its division title.

The next step comes in two weeks against division rival Oakland.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)