2017 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Andy Reid
2017 Offensive Ranking - 5th (375 ypg, 25.9 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 28th (365 ypg, 21.2 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Patrick Mahomes takes over the starting quarterback this season after Alex Smith left for the Washington Redskins. Mahomes played very little last season, passing for only 284 yards.
The running game is solid with NFL rushing leader Kareem Hunt, who amassed 1,327 yards (4.9 ypc average) and eight rushing touchdowns. He also caught 53 passes for 455 yards with three touchdowns. Four players backing up Hunt include Damien Williams (181 yards with Miami in 2017), Kerwynn Williams (426 yards and one TD with Arizona) and Spencer Ware, who is looking to return from a serious knee injury that kept him out all of last season.
The wide receivers include Tyreek Hill, who had 75 receptions for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago. Also in the mix is Sammy Watkins (39, 593, 8 TD with LA Rams), Chris Conley (11, 175) and Demarcus Robinson (21, 212). The tight end is Travis Kelce, who led the team with 83 receptions, gaining 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns.
DEFENSE - Linebacker Justin Houston had 9 1/2 QB sacks last year while defensive end Chris Jones had 6 1/2 sacks. Linebacker Dee Ford (two sacks) and defensive back Eric Berry (coming off Achilles injury) are other key players on defense.
Gone is All-Pro cornerman Marcus Peters (free agent signee with LA Rams), along with linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson, so the Chiefs need play makers to step up this season. Newcomers include free agent defensive backs David Amerson, Kendall Fuller and Robert Golden, along with LB Anthony Hitchens.
Five rookie draft picks on defense include linebackers Breeland Speaks (Mississippi) and Dorian O'Daniel (Clemson), DT Derrick Nnadi (Florida State) and defensive backs Armani Watts (Texas A & M) and Tremon Smith (Central Arkansas).
OUTLOOK - Head Coach Andy Reid is a master at getting the most from his team's talent and this year he will have his work cut out, especially with so many defensive replacements. The biggest one will be at quarterback where Mahomes takes over for Alex Smith.
The Chiefs have plenty of weapons both at running back and with the receiving corps, so scoring points and putting up big numbers shouldn't be a problem. Kansas City ranked sixth last season in the NFL in scoring and fifth overall, averaging 375 yards per game and just under 26 points per game.
The defense is what will determine whether or not this team can win a third consecutive AFC West title and return to the playoffs, where they failed once again in the Wild Card round last year.
If all goes well, this team can make a deep playoff run, but if they struggle on defense and/or both sides of the ball with the first year signal caller, it could be a rough ride.
Look for a 9-7 season and a possible wild card berth if that is what it takes to make it to the post-season in the AFC this year.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at LA Chargers
Week 2 - at Pittsburgh
Week 3 - vs. San Francisco
Week 4 - at Denver
Week 5 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 6 - at New England
Week 7 - vs. Cincinnati
Week 8 - vs. Denver
Week 9 - at Cleveland
Week 10 - vs. Arizona
Week 11 - at LA Rams (in Mexico City)
Week 12 - Bye
Week 13 - at Oakland
Week 14 - vs. Baltimore
Week 15 - vs. LA Chargers
Week 16 - at Seattle
Week 17 - vs. Oakland
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