5 AFC West storylines to watch in the 2018 season

By Cody Rivera | Aug 27, 2018

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 10, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes directs the line on his first play of the game in the first quarter against the Houston Texans on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /

4. Is it a growing year in Kansas City?

After the Kansas City Chiefs brought quarterback Alex Smith to town in 2013, coupled with the arrival of head coach Andy Reid, they’ve had a nice little championship window. The Chiefs made the playoffs in four of the five following seasons, but each time they failed to make it past the divisional round – oftentimes losing in head-shaking fashion.

The championship window for Smith closed after last season when the Chiefs traded him to Washington, meaning that they were moving on to the next era of Kansas City football: the Patrick Mahomes era.

Mahomes is entering just his second year in the league, and he’s flashed some signs of excellence in the preseason. But the question remains: since Mahomes has just about everything except experience, will it take a year or two for him to grow into the role? Or will he have the Chiefs in the Super Bowl conversation right out of the gate?

The Chiefs should have a pretty dangerous offense once again. Tight end Travis Kelce remains one of the best in the league. Running back Kareem Hunt burst into the limelight last year with a 1,327-yard season. The Chiefs also have top tier receiving talent in Tyreek Hill and newcomer Sammy Watkins.

There are plenty of questions surrounding the defense, but the offense can easily make up for it. It just depends on how long it takes Mahomes to grow comfortable as the team’s starting quarterback. It could happen right away. It could take an entire season.

But if it happens right away, watch out. This Chiefs team will be scary.