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15 Bold Predictions: No. 7: Kansas City Chiefs win AFC West

By Ryan Disdier

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Top-15 quarterback? Check. Superstar running back? Check. Reliable number-one receiver? Check. Fearsome pass rush? Check. No, that’s not a checklist for a championship-caliber team, just a quick run down of the Kansas City Chiefs.

They’re not getting a whole lot of national love, but don’t be surprised to see the Chiefs edge out the Denver Broncos — yes, the Peyton Manning-led Broncos — for AFC West supremacy.

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I sound confident, but there’s reason to be. As previously mentioned, the Chiefs have a whole lot of talent. They also have a head coach, Andy Reid, who knows what it takes to win. It’s honestly hard to understand why the nobody considers the Chiefs a real threat to do anything this year. It’s not like they had an inherently bad year in 2014.

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The team went 9-7 without having a single receiver score a touchdown. They were also without two starters on defense, inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety Eric Berry.

They really lost nothing in the offseason, too. KC trimmed fat and improved by letting go of Dwayne Bowe and brining in the aforementioned Maclin, and the Chiefs put together a good draft. With Manning seemingly on the decline, this is the year for the Chiefs to win the division.

Let’s start by examining the offense, because there’s a lot to talk about here.

As I stated above, the team still has Jamaal Charles, and the back with track speed is still a top-five back in the league. He’s handled a lot — in 2013, Charles got the ball on 1/3 of the Chiefs’ offensive plays — of the offensive workload, but he’s really shown no signs of slowing down.

He still has game-breaking speed, and he’s a threat in the passing game, too. Charles has never had an average under five yards per carry, which is remarkably efficient. Behind Charles is Knile Davis. Despite Davis’ belief that he’s on par with Charles, the third-year back is better suited in a supporting role. At least for now.

Nov 16, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands off to running back Jamaal Charles (25) during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Davis played in all 16 games last year, rushing for 463 yards and six touchdowns. He also did some kick returning in 2014, including a 99-yard touchdown.

The team also has tight end Travis Kelce, who’s primed for a breakout year. According to Adam Teicher of ESPN, Kelce has been studying film from former Chiefs great Tony Gonzalez. Kelce recorded 67 receptions for 862 yards and five touchdowns last year, and he’s looking to improve on that this year. Kelce is going to have a huge year, and you can believe that.

“This unit should be nicknamed “Night Sky”, because going through the roster, all you see is stars.”

Playing on the outside is Maclin, who is familiar with Reid and is coming off the best year of his career. He’s deceptively fast, and he’s going to be the best receiver quarterback Alex Smith has ever played with.

Speaking of Smith, I ranked him as the 15th-best quarterback in the league in my power rankings, and he’s a guy who can lead a team, given the proper circumstance. His best asset is by far his ball security. Smith hasn’t thrown more than 10 interceptions since 2009, and he hasn’t thrown double-digits since 2010.

He’s efficient, and mobile enough to make defenses pay if they give him the opportunity to run. The X-factor for the offense could be De’Anthony Thomas, who made the transition from running back to receiver.

This kid is electric, and he’s a threat to score any time he touches the ball. DAT will see action in the slot, as well as in the return game, and he can be the lightning to Charles’, well, lightning. This unit has speed, man.

The Achilles heel is going to be the offensive line. The unit lost Geoff Schwartz a year ago, and it will be sans center Rodney Hudson this year. Ben Grubbs was acquired in the offseason, and he’s not a young buck anymore, but he’s a reliable piece of this team.

Hopefully, and it’s a big ‘hopefully’, former first-overall pick Eric Fischer can take a step forward this year.

Defensively, what’s not to like? This unit should be nicknamed “Night Sky”, because going through the roster, all you see is stars.

When a team has surplus of talent like the Chiefs do, it’s hard not to be impressed. In fact, it’s a unit that should be better than it was last year.

Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker

Justin Houston

(50) celebrates after a sack against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Starting up front, Mike Devito is an underrated player, though a much better run-stopping end than a pass-rushing one.

All-Pro nose guard Dontari Poe is back this year, and he’s still a premiere presence. He’s been dealing with a back injury, so hopefully he can return sooner rather than later.

In the move of its offseason, Kansas City locked up Justin Houston for the long haul, and it was well deserved. He’ll be back once again pairing up with Tamba Hali to make up one of the league’s best pass-rushing duos. Derrick Johnson is back, and the defense will reap the rewards because of it. He’s a leader and a difference-maker when he’s on the field.

Dee Ford, who struggled — including one laughably bad play that’s too good to not mention — as a rookie, will hopefully take the step to becoming a great situational edge rusher.

Seriously, this pass rush is frighteningly good. The Pro-Bowl pass-rushing duo — say that five times fast — has the tools to wreak havoc on offenses and make the secondary’s job easier.

Sean Smith is once again going to be starting at corner. The former Miami Dolphin doesn’t get a lot of mainstream love, but he’s a terrific corner. KC spent its first-round pick on cornerback Marcus Peters, and he has the potential to develop into a very good corner. Phillip Gaines will play for Smith while he serves his three-game suspension, but the cornerback unit — also featuring Jamell Flemming — will be good.

Of course, the big story is the return of Eric Berry, an All-Pro safety.

Berry is back after missing time last year as he battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and that’s a huge positive for KC. Berry is one of the most instinctual safeties in the game and he always has a nose for the football. He’s joining a safety unit that might be the deepest in the NFL.

Ron Parker, Husain Abdullah and Tyvon Branch are all back there, which will give the Chiefs a lot of options when it comes to blitz packages.

Look, I’m not saying this team is going to be an AFC powerhouse that goes 16-0. But Alex Smith has been on teams like this before, most notably the 2011 49ers.

And let’s not forget this was a team that was narrowly beaten out by the Broncos — the record-setting, best offense ever, Broncos — in 2013.

The Broncos are likely going to take a step back this year, which puts the Chiefs in a perfect position to win this division. The two games against Denver will be paramount in locking up the West, though.

Kansas City needs to win the game at home in week 2 to show the Broncos they’re no longer the best in the division.

NFL.com’s Gil Brandt — who also has the Chiefs winning the division. Great minds think alike — noted the Chiefs’ schedule is another factor that will help them win the division.

This team is going to surprise a lot of people. The offensive speed and efficiency, paired with the “Night Sky” defense gives this team the best chance its had to make a serious playoff run in a very long time.

Next: 15 Bold Predictions: No. 6: Terrelle Pryor will shine at receiver

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