Kansas City, Mo. ? This week’s trip to Seattle represents a first for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Seahawks (3-7) will be the only team the Chiefs have played all season with a losing record. Everyone else has been .500 or better.

Might a letdown be in the offing? The Chiefs (5-5) are coming off a tough stretch of close, hard-fought games against a succession of playoff contenders in San Diego, Denver, Oakland, San Francisco and Buffalo.

“NFL football players, specifically Kansas City Chiefs football players, are human. They are susceptible to letdowns,” coach Dick Vermeil said Tuesday.

“I don’t expect it. I think I know the character and quality of kids on this football team. And I think they feel a sense of urgency. They recognize the opportunity as well as everyone else in our organization does. They know if we’re going to end up being playoff-competitive in December, we’d better keep winning games.”

A victory would be just the second time all season the Chiefs were able to win two in a row.

“I think we can go up there and win,” Vermeil said. “Any football team is susceptible to an emotional letdown. I think this team is less susceptible, though I’m not naive enough to believe it couldn’t happen.”

Nevertheless, Vermeil will be alert for signs his team may not be taking the Seahawks as seriously as they should.

Vermeil said he would do everything he could to make sure his team was ready to play.

Kansas City quarterback Trent Green (10) runs past Buffalo defender Grant Irons for a nine-yard touchdown. The Chiefs beat Buffalo, 17-16, on Sunday in Kansas City.

“I’ve always believed, contrary to some others’ beliefs, that it is more important for a head coach to do (that) in the National Football League than it was when I coached in high school, than it was when I coached in Napa Junior College, than it was when I coached at UCLA,” Vermeil said.

“The National Football League demands more from you emotionally every Sunday to be prepared. The competition is so even. If you’re not ready to play, or you overlook somebody, or you start strutting because you won one in a row, it won’t happen again for you. I invest a lot of time in mental preparation every week. I’m always concerned about it.”

Vermeil said defensive tackle Derrick Ransom would miss a second straight game with an ankle injury.

“He hasn’t progressed as rapidly as we thought he might,” Vermeil said. “But he is making progress.”

In addition, cornerback William Bartee is listed as doubtful. Bartee hurt his ankle during last week’s 17-16 victory over Buffalo.

“His ankle’s pretty sore and there’s more swelling today,” Vermeil said. “Ray Crockett will open in that spot.”

Vermeil said offensive lineman Willie Jones would go on injured reserve and miss the remainder of the season. Jones sustained a neck injury in practice last week.