2011 NFL Predictions: AFC West Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs

Last Season: 10 – 6

2011 NFL Draft: WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh, Rd. 1/Pick 26), C Rodney Hudson (Florida St., Rd. 2/Pick 23), DE Justin Houston (Georgia, Rd. 3/Pick 6), DE Allen Bailey (Miami (FL.), Rd. 3/Pick 22), CB Jalil Brown (Colorado, Rd. 4/Pick 21), QB Ricky Stanzi (Iowa, Rd. 5/Pick 4), LB Gabe Miller (Oregon St., Rd. 5/Pick 9), DT Jerrell Powe (Mississippi, Rd. 6/Pick 34), RB Shane Bannon (Yale, Rd. 7/Pick 20)

Key Additions: WR Steve Breaston, RB Le’Ron McClain

Key Losses: DT Shaun Smith, DT Ron Edwards, LB Mike Vrabel

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Matt Cassel — 3,116 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Matt Cassel — 27

• Rushing yards — Jamaal Charles — 1,467 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— Thomas Jones — 6

• Receiving yards — Dwayne Bowe — 1,162 yards

• Receiving touchdowns — Dwayne Bowe — 15

• Tackles — Derrick Johnson — 122

• Sacks — Tamba Hali — 15

• Interceptions — Eric Berry — 4

2011 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Bills

Week 2: @ Lions

Week 3: @ Chargers

Week 4: Vikings

Week 5: @ Colts

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: @ Raiders

Week 8: Chargers

Week 9: Dolphins

Week 10: Broncos

Week 11: @ Patriots

Week 12: Steelers

Week 13: @ Bears

Week 14: @ NY Jets

Week 15: Packers

Week 16: Raiders

Week 17: @ Broncos

Analysis: Kansas City surprised many last season when they went 10-6 and won the AFC West. QB Matt Cassel improved in his second season in Kansas City, passing for more yards and touchdowns all the while cutting down on interceptions, which was a big factor. Cassel wasn’t the only surprise. WR Dwayne Bowe had a breakout season and RB Jamaal Charles had his second strong year, rushing for almost 1,500 yards. The Chiefs wanted more weapons and did so in the offseason. They picked up RB/FB Le’Ron McClain, a very strong blocker and pass catcher, as well as WR Steve Breaston from Arizona. WR Jonathan Baldwin was a strong draft pick, and, combined with Breaston, will allow Bowe to have another strong season. The defense will be a big question this year however. The team lost DT Ron Edwards and DT Shaun Smith, but keep DE Glenn Dorsey. The retirement of LB Mike Vrabel was a big surprise, so more responsibility will fall on fellow linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. The defense was a big reason the Chiefs excelled last season, and if they want to make it back to the playoffs, they are going to have to answer some of the questions that arise on the D-line and linebacker core.

2011 Season Prediction: 8 – 8, Second in the AFC West

 

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