The reigning AFC West champions figure to be pressed in the division this season. But the Kansas City Chiefs are still capable of some very big things.
The 2022 NFL season is less than two weeks away. And when it comes to looking at each of the eight divisions this offseason, you could certainly make a case for the AFC West being the best of the bunch. Every club made its share of significant moves this year.
But the Kansas City Chiefs have ruled the roost for the past six seasons. Andy Reid’s club owns the league’s current longest playoff streak of seven consecutive years. In order for the team to hold off the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos in 2022, some pretty “bold” things may have to happen.
3. Chiefs bold prediction: Travis Kelce sets new record for receptions by a tight end
Welcome to the passing era full force. In 2019, New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Michael Thomas totaled 149 receptions – a new NFL record. One year earlier, then-Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz set a new league record for a player at his position with 116 grabs.
The Kansas City Chiefs opted to trade six-time Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins this offseason. The clubs also saw fellow wideouts Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle leave through free agency. Andy Reid’s team signed Juju Smith-Schuster and drafted talented Skyy Moore. But quarterback Patrick Mahomes may wind up leaning even more on a familiar face.
Travis Kelce has caught at least 80 passes each of the last six seasons and twice reached the century mark. Don’t be shocked if he puts up monster numbers in the team’s somewhat-revamped offense.
2. Chiefs bold prediction: Steve Spagnuolo’s defense leads league in sacks
It’s interesting to note that the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team since the 1970 merger to lead the NFL in sacks two consecutive years. It’s even more fascinating when you realize that T.J. Watt and company have managed this feat five straight years dating back to 2017 – Watt’s first season in the league.
But there was one season during that stretch that Mike Tomlin’s club shared the sack title. In 2018, the Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs each finished with 52 quarterback traps. Reid’s team captured the top seed in the AFC and would host the first of four straight conference title games. But other than that sack total, there wasn’t much to write home about when it came to Kansas City’s defense that year.
And it’s also worth noting that the club has digressed every year since when it comes to sacks. Those 52 QB traps in ’18 was followed by 45 sacks in 2019 (and a Super Bowl LIV title), 32 sacks in 2020 and just 31 quarterback traps in 17 outings this past season.
But there are some new faces on the defensive front, namely veteran Carlos Dunlap and 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis (Purdue). Chris Jones and Frank Clark return as well. But those aforementioned additions will breathe new life into the Chiefs’ pass rush.
1. Chiefs bold prediction: Justin Reid enjoys career year and more
Steve Spagnuolo took over as Kansas City’s defensive coordinator in 2019. The team would go onto win Super Bowl LIV that year thanks to a strong stretch run by his unit. But in three seasons during his tenure, the Chiefs’ defense has been streaky. And that’s an understatement.
One of the club’s top free=agent additions was four-year pro Justin Reid. During his stay with the Houston Texans, he was a reliable force for a club that had its own ups and downs on the defensive side of the ball. The 2018 third-round pick from Stanford University totaled 10 takeaways and 23 passes defensed in 57 regular-season outings.
Despite the fact that Andy Reid’s club finished 2021 with a very-respectable 29 takeaways in 17 regular-season contests, the Chiefs had their own issues hanging onto the football as quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished with 17 of the team’s 25 turnovers. Reid has some big shoes to fill with the free-agent departure of Tyrann Mathieu. But he may wind up being more than up to the task.
The last Chiefs’ player to lead the NFL in interceptions was Marcus Peters in 2015. He and Bengals’ safety Reggie Nelson tied for the league lead with eight picks. Could Reid follow in Peters’ footsteps? Don’t be shocked if it happens.