Kansas City Comeback: Previewing the 2011 Chiefs

Last week in this space, I shared predictions for the winners in each division across the NFL. So you know generally what I think the Chiefs and Rams are going to do this season. But since many of you (as well as me) are big fans of one or both teams, I decided to dedicate an additional blog this week to break down some details for each team’s season. I’ll do the Chiefs today (9/6) and the Rams tomorrow (9/7).

For professional football fans in Missouri, 2011 was a breakout year. Over the course of the past three seasons (2007-’09), St. Louis and Kansas City combined to go an painfully dreadful 16-80; the teams beat that three-year win total with 17 wins last year. So saying it was a true turnaround year is a massive understatement. The Chiefs won the AFC West title and the Rams came within a breath of winning the NFC West. Significant Show-Me progress for each franchise. Both teams have serious upside, and I see bigger things coming soon. It’s an exciting time. So let’s get to the details.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Key Additions: WR Steve Breaston, NT Kelly Gregg, WR Jonathan Baldwin (rookie), OL Jared Gaither, FB LeRon McClain, QB Coach Jim Zorn

Recipe for Success: Kansas City had the league’s No. 1 rushing offense in 2010, averaging more than 164 yards per game. Jamaal Charles is one of the NFL’s premier rushers with the ability to break a big play every time he touches the ball. The running game has to continue AND QB Matt Cassel needs to repeat his Pro Bowl-caliber play to balance the offense. Continued improvement is required on the defensive side of the ball, particularly against the run. KC’s secondary is solid, but the linebacking corps play remains a question mark. And the offensive and defensive lines need to solidify; high draft picks need to start producing like, well, high draft picks.

Schedule Breakdown: In addition home-and-home series within the AFC West, the division plays the NFC North and the AFC East as part of the normal NFL schedule rotation. The Chiefs host the Bills, Vikings, Dolphins and Packers at Arrowhead; and have to travel to Detroit, New England, Chicago and New York (Jets) for tough road games. Plus games against fellow division winners Pittsburgh at home and at Indianapolis. The Chiefs face a particularly tough stretch beginning in late November when they face New England on the road on Monday night, then host the Steelers the next Sunday night, followed by games at the Bears, at the Jets and home for the Packers. Geez. It is a much tougher schedule that last year.

Prediction: Even with my fan goggles on, the best I can predict is 9-7, and unfortunately out of the playoffs. The winless and, quite frankly, lifeless pre-season doesn’t help foster any optimism. The Chiefs will improve as a team, but the record won’t show it.

In tomorrow’s post, we will break down the Rams.

As always, I’d love to hear from you. How do you think the Chiefs will do? Am I being to realistic, too pessimistic? Come on, sound off.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Steve