2012 Kansas City Chiefs Preview

2012 Kansas City Chiefs

You know what word is synonymous with the 2012 Kansas City Chiefs? Sleeper. This team finished 7-9 last season, one game out of the division race. They did this with crappy quarterback play, and season-ending injuries to two of their best players, running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry, along with tight end Tony Moeaki as well. They had an underachieving Dwayne Bowe and not much else in the receiving corps. And despite all this, they finished one game out of the division, and were also the only team to beat the Green Bay Packers in the regular season. This team has plenty of talent; now we have to see if they can put if all together. Head coach Romeo Crennel earned his spot and is looking to have a special first full season in KC.

Offense

Can we get a little quarterback play please? This team can defend, and they can definitely run the ball. The only thing holding them back is the passing game. Matt Cassel is still their starter, and it is yet to be seen how far he can lead this team. I think that for the Chiefs offense to be successful, Cassel needs to be this year’s version of Alex Smith. Not many pass attempts, and more importantly, low turnovers. If Cassel can keep the ball in his possession, convert third downs, execute in the red zone...you know, all the little important things, then this offense will succeed. Because they can really run. Jamaal Charles is back from his torn ACL, and while not many players bounce back so hotly from that injury, Charles has had a full year to recover and is a different kind of player. He is not a bulldog work horse who needs to carry it 25 to 30 times a game. He is a speedster who can blow by defenses, and can hit home runs on any play. He will not be overworked, so I think his knee will be fine. He’s the big play guy, and he will have several carries this year that he will take to the house. The power guy to compliment Charles’ speed is Peyton Hillis, who has lived on opposite ends of the spectrum these last two years. He has gone from Madden cover boy, to complete bust in the blink of an eye. However, he has a new home in Kansas City with the same offensive coordinator he had two years ago in Cleveland. He will run behind a very good offensive line, and he won’t have to completely carry the load in the running attack. Charles and Hillis, along with Foster and Tate of the Texans, also have a very good opportunity to each break 1,000 yards rushing. I won’t be surprised if it happens. The receivers still aren’t fantastic, but Dwayne Bowe is a stud who will get his catches; the only question is if the touchdown production will be there. Jon Baldwin could be a solid number two guy, and Steve Breaston is money in the slot. With the return of tight end Moeaki and signing of former Giant Kevin Boss, these group of outside weapons have a very high ceiling, as does this offense. Looking at you, Matt Cassel. What are you made of?

Defense

You heard it here first: the Chiefs defense will be top 10 in the NFL and top 5 in the AFC. They have talent at every level. Bookending the defensive line are two former very high draft picks in Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. They drafted Dontari Poe to be their man in the middle of the 3-4, so we’ll see how he progresses. Their linebacking core is also intimidating, with two big name players in Derrick Johnson and pass-rushing star Tamba Hali. Finally, they have three potential Pro Bowlers starting in their secondary, including corners Brandon Flowers and Stanford Routt. And, of course, there is the return of former top five pick Eric Berry, who is looking for a breakout season after suffering a season-ending injury in Week One last year. This defense is ready to take charge right now, and they better be ready. They are going to play in a division with Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Carson Palmer, and play several other Pro Bowl quarterbacks throughout their schedule. I think they will be able to take on the challenge, and come out ahead in many cases (See Week One).

Schedule

If the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t play such a brutal schedule, I would have had them as a lock for a playoff spot. However, they still have a chance of making it there, they will just have to scratch and claw their way for all 16 games. I think they will definitely improve from their 7-9 mark from a year ago. The question is, will they be good enough to move ahead of Denver?

Week 1: W vs ATL (not buying the hype)

Week 2: L at BUF (wild card implications)

Week 3: L at NO

Week 4: W vs SD

Week 5: W vs BAL (upset!)

Week 6: L at TB

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: W vs OAK

Week 9: L at SD

Week 10: L at PIT

Week 11: W vs CIN

Week 12: W vs DEN

Week 13: W vs CAR

Week 14: W at CLE

Week 15: L at OAK

Week 16: W vs IND

Week 17: L at DEN

If Kansas City can win that final game in Denver, then they will win the division outright. I don’t see that happening though. I see the Chiefs finishing at 9-7. I know that prediction is flukey because I have them 8-0 at home and 1-7 on the road, but no matter where the wins and losses come, I think they will be 9-7 either way. It’s the final record that matters. And to me, they will be tied with Denver at 9-7. It’s still unclear whether that is good enough for a playoff spot. But this team will undoubtedly contend at least for the division title. This is a very winnable division, and if Manning goes down for any period of time, Kansas City will win it and make the playoffs. I’m looking forward to watching this team this year. Like the rest of my AFC sleeper/wild card contender teams this year, whether they make the playoffs will come down to quarterback play. Cassel, Fitzpatrick, Sanchez, Locker...who wants to step up? After my bold prediction, the next preview will be the Oakland Raiders. That yellow thing you see is the flag that just got thrown penalizing the Raiders five yards for being the most undisciplined team ever.

Bold Prediction: Eric Berry finishes in the top 3 in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.