The defending Super Bowl champions somehow got better in the offseason. Not only did they get better, but they also locked up some of their core pieces.
2019 Record: 12-4 (1st in AFC West)
Key Additions:
OT: Mike Remmers
CB: Antonio Hamilton
NFL Draft:
Round 1, pick 32:Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
Round 2, pick 63: Willie Gay Jr., LB, Mississippi State
Round 3, pick 96:Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Round 4, pick 138:L’Jarius Sneed, S, Louisiana Tech
Round 5, pick 177:Mike Danna, DE, Michigan
Round 7, pick 237: Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane
Season Preview:
Offense:
So I guess we need to talk about Patrick Mahomes? Let’s be honest, this dude is like nothing we have ever seen. He is an offsides penalty away from being a two-time Super Bowl champion, and a knee injury away from two MVPs (no disrespect to Lamar Jackson.)
Mahomes is just flat out incredible. If he can stay healthy, he will go down as the greatest to ever do it. It also doesn’t hurt that his offense looks like this.
The Chiefs brought back Sammy Watkins after some speculation that they would let him go. He will be alongside Mecole Hardman, who I think is a very underrated player in this league. Also, let’s not forget that Tyreek Hill is the most electric deep threat in the game. Anytime you have a player who can reverse field more than twice in one play and your not worried about the result of the play, you have a great weapon.
After Damien Williams (Playoff Damien, if you will) opted out of the season, the Chiefs selected the athletic, Edwards-Helaire from LSU to be the team’s primary back. Do you remember how awesome Kareem Hunt was in this Chiefs offense? Well, Edwards-Helaire will play that same role.
That brings us to Travis Kelce, the best pass-catching TE in the league. Kelce will do his thing, just like the rest of this offense. But the Chiefs could have the most depth at this position. With Seals-Jones, Demarcus Robinson, and Byron Pringle, the Chiefs have a great rotation of guys to supplement Kelce.
Defense:
While the Chiefs were able to get decent pressure on the quarterback, the secondary struggled early, and couldn’t find any constancy until late into the season. They suffered a big blow when defensive back Kendall Fuller left to join the Washington Football Team, and cornerback Bashaud Breeland is serving a four-game suspension. Charvarius Ward and Rashad Fenton will have to step it up big time here in the early weeks, including week one against the Texans on Thursday night.
Frank Clark missed some time in 2019 due to an illness (Not Covid) that caused him to miss a huge, and productive season. Despite not being at 100%, Clark still put up eight sacks and 12 TFL. Taco Charlton will provide some nice depth.
Then, of course, Tyrann Mathieu will be the obvious leader of this defense will they figure out their identity. While some feel that the secondary is in shambles, the duo of Mathieu and Juan Thornhill is among the leagues best.
Win Total: 11.5
I’m leaning towards the over, but my official prediction was the Chiefs would go 11-5. They will still win the division and I think this record will give them the one-seed, but I am a believer in a Super Bowl hangover. The thing is, a Super Bowl hangover for this team still means they are one of the leagues best.
