The Kansas City Chiefs are entering the 2016 NFL season looking to prove that they are still a legitimate championship contender. They certainly have a chance to take the AFC West division title this season.
Andy Reid has to feel good about the team he has put together for the upcoming season. Denver got a lot worse due to Peyton Manning retiring and Brock Osweiler leaving in free agency , while the Oakland Raiders are still full of holes in their roster. Oakland should be a lot better than they have been in recent years, while the San Diego Chargers are a major question mark.
Looking ahead at the upcoming season, there is nothing holding the Chiefs back from having a big year.
Everything will come down to what kind of fortune the Chiefs have on the health side of things. Jamaal Charles will need to stay healthy and Kansas City cannot afford to have key injuries on the defensive side of the football.
All of that being said, what five bold predictions can be made for the Kansas City Chiefs heading into the 2016 NFL season?
Jamaal Charles Returns Big And Rushes For 1,250 Yards And 12 Touchdowns
After tearing his ACL last season, Jamaal Charles has a lot of question marks surrounding him. Kansas City will need Charles to come through with a big season and he will do just that. Charles will rush for at least 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns throughout the course of the season and will make a big impact.
Alex Smith Throws For 4,000 Yards, 35 Touchdowns And Under Eight Interceptions
There is no question that the Chiefs need Alex Smith to be the leader for their offense. Consistency will be key for Smith this season and he will come through with one of the biggest seasons of his career. He will throw for at least 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, while keeping his interceptions under eight on the year.
Kansas City Improves Their Record By Two Wins From Last Year
Most of the media doesn’t seem to think that the Chiefs are going to be too serious of a threat in the AFC. They will prove them wrong and will improve their record at least two wins from last season. Kansas City will improve to at least 13-3 on the season this year if they play up to their potential.
Andy Reid Wins the NFL Coach Of The Year Award
If the Chiefs make the kind of jump that the last bold prediction suggests, Andy Reid will be in line for the NFL’s Coach of the Year Award. He has been one of the most underrated coaches in the league throughout his entire career. Reid will come away with the award this season and will receive recognition for how much he means to Kansas City.
The Kansas City Chiefs Regain The AFC West Division Title
Many believe that the Broncos will come out and win the division once again this season despite the losses that they suffered this offseason. Kansas City will have something else in mind. When everything is said and done, the Chiefs will have taken back the AFC West division title.
Expect to see the 2016 season be a very entertaining year for the Chiefs’ fan base. They have a very talented team to root for, and they are flying under the radar. That is exactly where a team like the Chiefs need to be, and they will come through with a big year.
Do you think that the Kansas City Chiefs will win the AFC West division title? Are they legitimate title contenders this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[Photo by AP Photo/TUSP, Jay Biggerstaff]