Following a 31-7 beat down on the New York Giants, the Kansas City Chiefs have started the season at 4-0 for the first time since 2003.

As ESPN has reported ad nauseum, any NFL team that has started the season 3-0 or better after a season with 14 or more losses has not made the playoffs.

One arbitrary fact comes to mind in response: Kansas City has never started the year 4-0 and failed to make the playoffs.

But as arbitrary is arbitrary, the only fact that matters this year is that the Chiefs are for real.

And they have discovered a newfound confidence in the red zone.

When it comes to the strides the Chiefs have made since last year, one thing’s for certain – the quarterback play has vastly improved. Alex Smith has played effectively and nearly mistake-free – otherwise known as the polar opposite of the quarterbacking of Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn last season. Smith had not turned the ball over all season until Sunday’s game against the Giants when he threw two interceptions.

Before now, Kansas City’s primary focus for the last nine seasons, including its playoff run in 2010, has been its rushing offense. Offensive coordinator Doug Pederson has developed a new offense, though, which allows Smith to spread the ball around to any of the 12 receivers, including Dwayne Bowe and grizzly tight end Sean McGrath.

With seven passing touchdowns in the first four games, Smith is just one passing touchdown away from tying the team’s 2012 total.

However, despite KC’s success, the offensive line has been borderline atrocious.

When the offense does rush, it looks to All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles. If you look at Charles’ production this season, his 4.1-yard per carry average is a far cry from his career average of 5.7.

Luckily, Charles has been able to make his mark as a receiving threat, leading the team in receptions with 23 and tied for the lead in receiving yards with 213. His 502 yards of total offense is second in the NFL behind Philadelphia Eagle LeSean McCoy, who has 608.

The leap that everyone saw coming has come from the defense, with a ferocious pass rush spearheaded by a pair of Pro Bowl outside linebackers, Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Despite two sackless games, Houston leads the entire NFL in sacks with 7.5.

Second-year nose tackle Dontari Poe has made headway in his game as well. A breakout performance against the Dallas Cowboys put opposing offensive lines on notice. The double teams he has taken on during the past two games have allowed the Chiefs outside rush to dominate.

Kansas City is currently ranked No. 1 in scoring defense and sacks, tied for third in takeaways and fourth in opponent passing yards.

If what I perceive as winnable games, including next week’s match up against a Jake Locker-less Tennessee Titans, do actually come to fruition, the Chiefs should be expected to win anywhere from nine to 12 games.

The primary threats for a wild card spot might come from the 3-1 Titans, the 2-2 Baltimore Ravens and the 3-1 Miami Dolphins.

If the seemingly unstoppable Denver Broncos were to win the AFC West, a playoff spot would still be well within Chiefs’ grasp and would complete a dramatic turnaround from a disastrous 2012 season.