2018 Record - 12-4-0
Head Coach - Andy Reid
Newcomers for 2019 - Emmanuel Ogbah (DL), Tyrann Mathieu (DB), Carlos Hyde (RB), Bashaud Breeland (DB), Frank Clark (DL), Alex Okafor (DL)
Keys on Offense - Quarterback and 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes had a season for the ages a year ago, passing for 5,097 yards with 50 touchdown passes and twelve interceptions. He also rushed for 272 yards and scored two touchdowns.
The running backs look to be Damien Williams (256 yards, 5.1 ypc, four TD) and Carlos Hyde, who gained 189 yards while he played sparingly with Jacksonville last season.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill avoided suspension from the league due to off field issues, so that is a big plus for the Chiefs. Hill had 87 receptions for 1,479 yards and twelve touchdowns. He is also a threat to break one for a score on kicks and he took a punt back 91 yards for a touchdown last season. Sammy Watkins (40, 519, three TD) is the other wideout.
Others in the mix include DeMarcus Robinson (22, 288, four TD) and rookie Mecole Hardman (Georgia), who has shown flashes in the pre-season. Travis Kelce is the tight end and had another All Pro season in 2018, catching 103 passes for 1,336 yards and ten touchdowns.
Keys on Defense - Up front will be Chris Jones (15 1/2 QB sacks) and Frank Clark, a free agent signee from Seattle, who had 13 sacks last year. Alex Okafor (four sacks with New Orleans) and Derrick Nnadi round out the front four. Linebackers include Reggie Ragland, Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson.
The secondary has "The Honey Badger" Tyrann Mathieu (two interceptions with Houston) playing safety along with Daniel Sorensen. The cornerbacks are Kendall Fuller (two INT) and Bashaud Breeland, who had two picks with Green Bay last season, including one for a score. Rookie Juan Thornhill (Virginia) is high on the depth chart in pre-season.
The Chiefs defense was pretty woeful last season, allowing 406 yards per game (31st in NFL) and gave up 26.3 points per game. The run defense allowed 132 yards per game (27th) and 274 passing yards per game, which ranked 31st overall. The Chiefs led the NFL with 52 QB sacks last season and had 15 interceptions.
OUTLOOK - Head Coach Andy Reid certainly has a talent laden roster to work with yet again this season. The question is whether the Chiefs can overcome their playoff shortcomings.
The Kansas City offense was the best in the NFL last season, averaging 426 yards per game and also led the league in scoring, putting up 35.3 points per game. The passing offense was third overall (310 ypg) and the rushing attack was 16th, gaining 116 yards per game.
As long as the rest of the league doesn't catch up with Mahomes, look for him to have another big season, especially with Hill back in the fold at wide receiver. The Chiefs have so many weapons on offense, it's ridiculous.
Tight End Travis Kelce could be considered the best in the NFL now that Rob Gronkowski is retired. Add in potential big play rookie WR Mecole Hardman and Mahomes' improvisation in the passing game and this team could be even better than last year on offense.
The defense has many new faces coming in as some players departed from Kansas City in the off-season as well. There are question marks when that happens, so it could be another bumpy season for the Chiefs defense. Kansas City can get after enemy quarterbacks, so if they are consistent in that area again, perhaps it will take some pressure off their beleaguered secondary.
Will the Chiefs have enough to beat out the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West again? Can they finally knock off the New England Patriots and reach the Super Bowl? As long as Mahomes stays in one piece and Hill can stay focused, this team will score points and win games. Another 12-4 season is a strong possibility. Once the playoffs start, anything is possible. The Chiefs very well could win it all this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Jacksonville
Week 2 - at Oakland
Week 3 - vs. Baltimore
Week 4 - at Detroit
Week 5 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 6 - vs. Houston
Week 7 - at Denver
Week 8 - vs. Green Bay
Week 9 - vs. Minnesota
Week 10 - at Tennessee
Week 11 - at LA Chargers (in Mexico City)
Week 12 - BYE
Week 13 - vs. Oakland
Week 14 - at New England
Week 15 - vs. Denver
Week 16 - at Chicago
Week 17 - vs. LA Chargers
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