KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2023 Record - 11-6
Head Coach - Andy Reid
Key Additions - Marquise Brown (WR), Carson Wentz (QB), JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), Irv Smith, Jr. (TE), Isaiah Buggs (DL)
Key Losses - L'Jarius Sneed (DB), Willie Gay (LB), Donovan Smith (OL), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), Mecole Hardman (WR/KR), Jerrick McKinnon (RB)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Patrick Mahomes (4,183 yards, 27 TD, 14 INT)
RUSHING - Isiah Pacheco (935 yards, 4.6 ypc, 7 TD)
RECEIVING - Travis Kelce (93 receptions, 984 yards, 5 TD), Rashee Rice (79, 938, 7 TD)
SACKS - Chris Jones (10 1/2), George Karlaftis (10 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - L'Jarius Sneed (2)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - How about those Chiefs? Head Coach Andy Reid leads the team in that chant every time they win a game and last season the Kansas City Chiefs repeated as Super Bowl champions. This season, they return the core of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and running back Isiah Pacheco along with a strong defense led by Chris Jones.
Mahomes might not have had the statistics of prior years, but he still got it done when it mattered most (in the playoffs) and he is back for his seventh season as the Chiefs starting quarterback and along with Kelce and Pacheco and wide receivers Rashee Rice, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown coming over this season (from Arizona), Kansas City should continue to hum along on offense. In 2023, the Chiefs were ninth in total offense (351 yards per game) and averaged 21.5 points per game. But the O-Line does a great job of protecting Mahomes as he was sacked only 28 times last year. The offense showed some balance as well last season, with the running game averaging 105 YPG and the passing attack gaining 246 yards.
The defense was tremendous in 2023, ranking second in the NFL (allowing 290 YPG) while also finishing second best in scoring defense, allowing just 17.3 PPG. The Chiefs allowed 113 yards rushing (17th) and 177 passing yards per game, which ranked fourth in the league. Defensive tackle Chris Jones leads the way up front along with end George Karlaftis and linebacker Nick Bolton was a force in the post-season, totaling 40 tackles in the Chiefs run to the Super Bowl title. Kansas City was second in the NFL with 57 QB sacks last year. The secondary had eight interceptions and safety Justin Reed teams with corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to stymie enemy passing attacks.
The Chiefs are primed for a "three-peat" run to the Super Bowl, which has NEVER happened in the Super Bowl era. In fact, Kansas City was the first team to win back-to-back titles since the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots. However, nothing comes easy in the NFL and the Chiefs saw that last year before getting it right in the playoffs. They will have a huge target on their backs in 2024 and the AFC continues to be a juggernaut of talented teams once again entering the season. As long as Mahomes is around, the Chiefs cannot be counted out, but it will not be easy once again and don't be surprised if they don't get back to defend their Super Bowl crowns. Then again, don't bet against them either . . . Stay tuned.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Baltimore
Week Two - vs. Cincinnati
Week Three - at Atlanta
Week Four - at L.A. Chargers
Week Five - vs. New Orleans
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - at San Francisco
Week Eight - at Las Vegas
Week Nine - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Ten - vs. Denver
Week Eleven - at Buffalo
Week Twelve - at Carolina
Week Thirteen - vs. Las Vegas
Week Fourteen - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Fifteen - at Cleveland
Week Sixteen - vs. Houston
Week Seventeen - at Pittsburgh
Week Eighteen - at Denver
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