Chiefswinitall 60 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 .http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000932218/article/chiefs-jaguars-among-most-vulnerable-division-winners . 1) Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West) When Alex Smith (33 interceptions over the past five seasons) was at quarterback, the Chiefs knew he wouldn't turn the ball over. They can't assume the same with second-year pro Patrick Mahomes taking the reins in 2018. Mahomes' future is bright, but I don't think he'll be off-the-charts great immediately -- he's only started one game in the NFL, and you have to expect hiccups when working in a younger, less experienced player like that. And, of course, former offensive coordinator Matt Nagy -- now coaching the Bears -- will be missed. Kansas City did add some offensive firepower by signing receiver Sammy Watkins, but the real issue here is the defense, which gave up points and yards by the bushel last season. Marcus Peters, Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali are gone, while Justin Houston hasn't reached double digits in sacks since 2014. Signing linebacker Anthony Hitchens was a smart move, and cornerback Kendall Fuller -- who came over in the trade that sent Smith to Washington -- is a good player, but I don't see anyone on the roster who can rush the passer like Houston in his heyday. The key is safety Eric Berry. Will he be fully recovered from the Achilles tear that wiped out his 2017 season? The competition: The Chargers, who finished 9-7 last season, are much improved, especially on defense -- and with veteran kicker Caleb Sturgis on board, I don't think they'll have the kicking problems that effectively kept them from making the playoffs last year. Jon Gruden's Raiders will be better. Denver has a QB in place (Case Keenum) who will help win some games, while the Broncos' defense will get a huge boost from the addition of rookie Bradley Chubb. This collection of teams will make it very difficult for Kansas City to defend its division title. Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter @Gil_Brandt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mloe68 1,521 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 If teams are going to get us, they better do it this year. Give Veach another draft to fix the defense and a full season of experience for Mahomes and look out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtimer 8,691 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 it is all about 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dksww 484 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Once again some national media blowhard references Hali and Johnson as key losses when they haven't been good players for almost 3 seasons now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dksww 484 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Once again some national media blowhard references Hali and Johnson as key losses when they haven't been good players for almost 3 seasons now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHard 2,061 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 They should be talking about Ragland and Hitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkuenn 3,607 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 They would be all over Hitchens if the Cowboys still retained him and Ragland was the reason we got better with DJ being relegated to the bench role. Oh well, keep under estimating us national media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legend of AC 269 Posted May 10, 2018 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Once again some national media blowhard references Hali and Johnson as key losses when they haven't been good players for almost 3 seasons now. Come on, Brandt has been around the NFL for 60 yrs he kinda knows his shit. Everything he said was accurate. Btw I met Gil at the Draft last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Gil Brandt hasn't had a clear head in 20 years. You ever heard him on sirius nfl radio? Awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lamardirts 2,114 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 We gave up yards by the bushel but we didn’t give up tons of points if my memory serves me correct. We had a bad game here and there but I consider giving up a lot of points to be 28 or more. He makes a few valid points but is a typical national pundit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen 1,010,220 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Meh doesn't bother me. Chiefs are gonna have to prove it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lamardirts 2,114 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Meh doesn't bother me. Chiefs are gonna have to prove it. True! Until we prove it the national pundits will have their doubts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legend of AC 269 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Gil Brandt hasn't had a clear head in 20 years. You ever heard him on sirius nfl radio? Awful. So that means he’s wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legend of AC 269 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Meh doesn't bother me. Chiefs are gonna have to prove it. I agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mloe68 1,521 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 On the other hand the Chargers QB will be 37 next season and hasn’t beaten us since 2013. The Broncos have a horrible oline, mediocre QB and have lost five straight to us. And the Raiders have a new coach and seem to be counting on regressing older players for a quick fix and are 2-8 against us in the Reid era. Yes. Most of us realize we are succeptable as we actually got significantly younger even as the two time defending division champs But it just seems like we are ahead of the game on this division right now. I wouldn’t count us out at all. And if we do happen to win again, we may just rip off 5-6 division titles in a row. Again though this one looks like it will be the most challenging. Not much would surprise me about this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidfriend 1,151 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Come on, Brandt has been around the NFL for 60 yrs he kinda knows his shit. Everything he said was accurate. Btw I met Gil at the Draft last year.The game has passed him by. Sure he's forgotten more than we know, but it's somewhat painful to see him try to scout analyze today. Enjoy his stories though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhitter 1,424 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Wasn't this a thing last year too? Lots of people picked the Raiders to win the division and the Chargers were coming on strong. How'd that turn out? Lots of folks saying 2019 will be the year but why automatically give up on 2018? I think the Chiefs are gonna be pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sith13 1,746 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 At this point I'm welcoming some negative predictions about the Chiefs. There has been too much hype around our young and upcoming team with Mahomes at the helm but a lower profile team is generally less beaten by the time playoffs arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balto 723 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I think most have talked about the future of this team and Mahomes. Seems most local and national media start with Mahomes and finish with him when it comes to being a true rookie and can’t play as well as Alex has his “rookie” inexperienced first year. I say he is better than Alex and shock a ton of people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sith13 1,746 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I think most have talked about the future of this team and Mahomes. Seems most local and national media start with Mahomes and finish with him when it comes to being a true rookie and can’t play as well as Alex has his “rookie” inexperienced first year. I say he is better than Alex and shock a ton of people. Even if he's better, which I believe he is, this is a young team with a lot of newcomers. It's very rare to see all of the offseason changes to work, and to be successful we actually need that to happen on defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhitter 1,424 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Other than Peter Shrager at NFL network...most pundits aren't picking the Chiefs to do much this season and that's okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mloe68 1,521 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Other than Peter Shrager at NFL network...most pundits aren't picking the Chiefs to do much this season and that's okay. The biggest expectations seem to be coming from Veach, Reid and Mahomes. I'm great with that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balto 723 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Even if he's better, which I believe he is, this is a young team with a lot of newcomers. It's very rare to see all of the offseason changes to work, and to be successful we actually need that to happen on defense. I still think our biggest question mark is our secondary by far! Peters gone, Parkers gone, Will Berry be himself yet? Can Amerson play at his potential? Will Fuller be able to handle the outside? Soooooooooooo many questions in that secondary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tges58 33 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I still think our biggest question mark is our secondary by far! Peters gone, Parkers gone, Will Berry be himself yet? Can Amerson play at his potential? Will Fuller be able to handle the outside? Soooooooooooo many questions in that secondary IMO the biggest thing this secondary needs is a pass rush in front of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mloe68 1,521 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I still think our biggest question mark is our secondary by far! Peters gone, Parkers gone, Will Berry be himself yet? Can Amerson play at his potential? Will Fuller be able to handle the outside? Soooooooooooo many questions in that secondary I think Veach will make this focus of next offseason where we have money and draft picks to fix in earnest. It’s a hold your breath situation this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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