The Ultimate Sports Blog's
2015-16 NFL Preview
2014-15 Record: 9-7
Last Playoff Win: 1993 Divisional vs. Houston Oilers
Last Playoff Appearance: 2013 Wild Card vs. Indianapolis Colts
Last Super Bowl Win: IV vs. Minnesota Vikings (1969)
Last Super Bowl Appearance: IV vs. Minnesota Vikings (1969)
Head Coach:
Andy Reid (150-105-1 all-time as NFL head coach; 20-12 all-time in Kansas City, 10-10 in playoffs)
Assistant Head Coach: David Culley
Offensive Coordinator: Doug Pederson
Defensive Coordinator: Bob Sutton
2014-15 Team Leaders:
Passing Yards: Alex Smith (3,265 yards, 65.3% completions, 18 TD's, 6 INT's, 93.4 QB rating)
Rushing Yards: Jamaal Charles (206 attempts, 1,033 yards, 9 TD's)
Receiving Yards: Travis Kelce (67 receptions, 862 yards, 5 TD's)
Tackles: Josh Mauga (103 tackles)
Interceptions: Kurt Coleman (3 interceptions)
2014-15 Team Rankings:
Passing Offense: 29th in NFL
Rushing Offense: 10th in NFL
Points Per Game: 16th in NFL
Least Points Allowed Per Game: 2nd in NFL
2014-15 Potential Starters:
Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel
Offense:
QB: Alex Smith
RB: Jamaal Charles
WR: Albert Wilson
WR: Jeremy Maclin
TE: Travis Kelce
C: Eric Kush
OG: Paul Fanaika
OG: Ben Grubbs
OT: Donald Stephenson
OT: Eric Fisher
Defense:
DE: Mike DeVito
DE: Allen Bailey
DT: Dontari Poe
LB: Tamba Hali
LB: Justin Houston
LB: Josh Mauga
LB: Derrick Johnson
CB: Marcus Peters
CB: Sean Smith
FS: Ron Parker
SS: Eric Berry
2014-15 Schedule:
(September 13) vs. Houston Texans
(September 17) vs. Denver Broncos
(September 28) vs. @ Green Bay Packers
(October 4) vs. @ Cincinnati Bengals
(October 11) vs. Chicago Bears
(October 18) vs. @ Minnesota Vikings
(October 25) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
(November 1) vs. Detroit Lions
(November 8) BYE WEEK
(November 15) vs. @ Denver Broncos
(November 22) vs. @ San Diego Chargers
(November 29) vs. Buffalo Bills
(December 6) vs. @ Oakland Raiders
(December 13) vs. San Diego Chargers
(December 20) vs. @ Baltimore Ravens
(December 27) vs. Cleveland Browns
(January 3) vs. Oakland Raiders
Overlook: Let's not beat around the bush. I'm a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. I've been a fan of the Chiefs since Joe Montana left my former favorite team the San Francisco 49ers for the Chiefs back in the 90's and my love for them never died. With that said, I'm also their biggest critic and usually don't predict them to do well. However, when you go over this roster with an unbiased look, there is a lot to like with this team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But, we are getting ahead of ourselves.
In my opinion, this Chiefs team is only going to go as far as Alex Smith and this offense can carry them and I definitely have my concerns about that. Alex Smith is a good NFL QB. He's not a great one and he's not a horrible one. He's just a good one. Yes, he's a game manager and doesn't seem to like to throw the ball 20+ yards down the field for some reason. That trait both hurts and helps the teams he plays on. I personally would love to see the guy take more chances down the field, especially since the Chiefs added Jeremy Maclin in the off-season. Maclin is a crazy good deep threat and Smith should not be afraid to wing the ball downfield to him, even if it results in some interceptions at times. Otherwise, what's the purpose of even paying Maclin the money you're paying him? The Chiefs absolutely can not go another year without throwing a TD to a wide receiver. That is just the stupidest stat I've ever heard and they should be embarrassed by it, especially in a league that is built these days around passing. Figure it out Alex Smith or move on. I'm losing my patience.
Anyway, the rest of the offense is alright. Jamaal Charles is one of the best running backs in the league (the guy is playing at a quiet HOF-worthy level) and should also be the primary focus of the offense. The wide receivers didn't catch a TD at all last season like I mentioned earlier, but that won't happen this year. Not with Maclin in town, Albert Wilson hopefully breaking out, and De'Anthony Thomas shifting over. Travis Kelce turned into one of the best tight ends in the league last season and looks like another version of Gronk. He'll only improve this season and should be a top target for anyone playing fantasy football. The offensive line is not spectacular, but they should be an improvement over what Kansas City fielded last season.
The defense doesn't need much attention. Everyone knows it's good. They allowed the second least amount of points last season in the NFL and they should only improve with the returns of Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry as well as the addition of rookie CB Marcus Peters. This is another reason that Alex Smith shouldn't be afraid to turn the ball over. Kansas City's defense is pretty damn good and would likely bail him out more often than not.
So, what does this season hold for the Chiefs? It really wouldn't shock me to see them end up with a win total ranging anywhere from 7-11. The schedule is definitely tough, but this is a well-coached team with a roster that has been built carefully by general manager John Dorsey so they should be prepared going in. The bigger question is, can the Chiefs finally get that playoff win hump off their back? This look and smells like a playoff team, but is that going to matter if this team can't win a game in the post-season? It's been over 22 years since the fan base tasted a playoff win! GIVE US SOMETHING KANSAS CITY!!!!!
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