The Kansas City Chiefs had a successful season last year, going 12-4 in the regular season and clinching the AFC West division title. They even made the playoffs and were lucky enough to claim a first-round bye along with home field advantage. Unfortunately, they ended up losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional round. It certainly wasn’t for lack of trying, as the Chiefs were the only team to score a touchdown (all 18 of the Steelers’ points came through kicker Chris Boswell), a testament to the Chiefs’ stout defense.
The Chiefs have a number of weapons that got them to that point in the season. QB Alex Smith had a phenomenal season throwing for over 3,500 yards with a 67.1% completion rate. His overall QB rating was in the 90th percentile. The Chiefs also have three strong running options in RBs Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West and Tyreek Hill. Ware rushed for 900 yards on the season, leading the running core. West and Hill both rushed for over 250 yards. On the receiving end, TE Travis Kelce led the group with 1,125 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jeremy Maclin is another star receiver who had over 500 yards. Both Maclin and Kelce were clutch in the AFC divisional game against the Steelers.
However, it’s the Chiefs’ defense that has made them such a powerful team. The defense is what held the Steelers to using their kicker so much, forcing turnovers and stopping touchdowns. Their defense is one of the top ranked in the league. The Chiefs possess the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerback, Marcus Peters. Ron Parker and Eric Berry are two strong veteran defensive players who have established themselves as leaders on the team. Their defensive line is one of the strongest aspects of their game as a team, with Jaye Howard, Allen Bailey and Dontari Poe leading the defensive front. The Chiefs had the number one ranked defense in the 2015 season. If the AFC divisional game showed anything, it’s that this team is still defensively sound and a threat to offenses throughout the league.
For next season, the Chiefs will undoubtedly be a force in the AFC. They have the defensive core and enough talented offensive players to be relevant. They also have 11 draft picks going into this year’s NFL Draft, giving them plenty of options to secure their future. They’ll be looking to draft a number of players on both the offensive and defensive sides, though they also have the option to trade up, given the number of picks they have. Head Coach Andy Reid will want to make the most of these draft picks, and the Chiefs’ executives will likely emulate that desire.
From a betting standpoint, the Chiefs are at +2800 odds to win Super Bowl LII. While these may not be the best odds, they don’t seem to accurately depict the Chiefs’ strength. They are one of the strongest teams in the AFC at the moment and show no signs of slowing anytime soon. For Kansas residents, the Chiefs are the closest thing they have to an NFL franchise. Whether you support them or another team, Kansas sports gambling is skewed towards the Chiefs. You can bet on Alex Smith and Co. to hit the 2017-2018 season with a fierce competitive season and, given the Draft goes well, a slew of talented, young players to develop.