2010 RECORD: 10-6-0
(1st in AFC West)
HEAD COACH: Todd Haley
Offense: Looking to prove he was no fluke in New England in 2008, quarterback Matt Cassel put up solid numbers last season in guiding the upstart Chiefs to the AFC West division title and a playoff appearance for the first time in four years.
Cassel threw for 3,116 yards and 27 touchdowns with only seven interceptions in 2010. Tyler Palko and Ricky Stanzi are the backups and will be ready if needed.
However, the real strength of the Kansas City offense is the running game.
The Chiefs led the NFL in rushing last season, averaging 164 yards per game with Jamaal Charles gaining 1,467 yards (a whopping 6.4 yards per carry average) and scoring five touchdowns. Thomas Jones, who just turned 33 years old, proved he is still the ageless wonder by rumbling for 896 yards (3.7 ypc average) and scoring six touchdowns.
Mike Cox is the fullback and Le'Ron McClain comes over from Baltimore to provide relief in the backfield.
The wide receivers are led by Dwayne Bowe, who had a breakout season by making 72 receptions for 1,162 yards and scored 15 touchdowns to lead the league for wide receivers in that category. Steve Breaston (47, 718 yards, one TD with Arizona last season) is now at wideout for Kansas City via free agency.
Vernon Tucker and Dexter McCluster (21, 209, one TD) and rookie Jon Baldwin (Pitt) are also in the mix for the wide receiving corps. The tight ends include Tony Moeaki (47 catches, 556 yards, three TD) and Leonard Pope, who made just ten catches last year, but two were for touchdowns.
The offensive line has a rookie anchoring the line at center with Rodney Hudson (Florida State) taking over. The guards are Jon Asamoah and Ryan Lilja and the tackles will be Barry Richardson and Brandon Albert.
Kansas City ranked 12th overall in total offense last season, averaging 350 yards per game. The passing game averaged 186 yards per game. The team ranked 1th in the NFL, scoring 366 points.
Defense: This was an area that was up and down in 2010 as Kansas City finished in the middle of the pack in total defense, allowing 330 yards per game.
The Chiefs us the 3-4 defensive scheme and have Kelly Gregg at Nose Tackle with Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey playing the ends. Anthony Toribio, Wallace Gilberry (seven quarterback sacks) and rookie Allen Bailey (Miami, FL) provide some depth up front.
The linebackers are a solid unit with sack master Tamba Hali (14.5 sacks) playing outside along with Andy Studebaker. The inside backers include Jovan Belcher, Derrick Belcher, Demorrio Williams and Cory Greenwood. Brandon Siler and rookie Justin Houston (Georgia) will also see action at linebacker in 2011.
The secondary didn't get the interceptions like they did in year's past, but did a decent job in pass coverage. Safeties Eric Berry (four interceptions) and Kendrick Lewis (three picks) are good and the corner men are Brandon Flowers (two INT) and Brandon Carr.
Javier Arenas, Travis Daniels, Jon McGraw and Reshard Langford will fill in when needed.
Kansas City surrendered 326 points a year ago and ranked 17th against the pass, giving up 220 yards per game while opponents rushed for 110 yards per game. The Chiefs registered 38 quarterback sacks last season.
OUTLOOK: The Chiefs will not have the benefit of playing a fourth-place schedule this season and it will be a true test of just how good this team really is.
Cassel showed he is a solid quarterback in 2010, but against stiffer competition things could change.
The running game should be solid again with two proven backs and a line that does a good job opening holes for Charles and Jones to run through.
The defense has to be more consistent by getting more pressure up front against opposing quarterbacks. Hali led the team with the 14.5 sacks, but he cannot do it all by himself.
Head Coach Todd Haley knows it will not be easy in 2011 with the schedule that includes the likes of playing Green Bay, Chicago, New England, New York Jets, Pittsburgh and the San Diego Chargers twice.
Add to that the fact that teams will prepare differently for Kansas City this year as they snuck up on opponents last season. That will not be the case in 2011.
The Baltimore Ravens exposed the Chiefs big time in the blowout victory in the first round of the NFL playoffs last January, so they know they have work to do to maintain their perch atop the AFC West, where most people think San Diego will regain the division title this year.
Look for a 7-9 finish this season for the Chiefs as the schedule proves to be too much for them.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Buffalo
Week 2- at Detroit
Week 3- at San Diego
Week 4- vs. Minnesota
Week 5- at Indianapolis
Week 6- BYE WEEK
Week 7- at Oakland
Week 8- vs. San Diego
Week 9- vs. Miami
Week 10- vs. Denver
Week 11- at New England
Week 12- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 13- at Chicago
Week 14- at NY Jets
Week 15- vs. Green Bay
Week 16- vs. Oakland
Week 17- at Denver
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