Who will be our biggest AFC challenge?

[gordonelloyd]

This is probably too early to talk about, and the post is too long, but since there is not much football discussion going on now, here goes:

Cincinnati: they are my biggest concern if Burrows is healthy and they keep Higgins. They generally play us close and Burrows is one of the 2 quarterbacks that can match Mahomes at their best ( Alan is the other). They improved his protection by drafting Mims and signing veteran Trent Brown when he is healthy. I don’t think they will miss Joe Mixon as Moss will step right in and did a great job filling in for Taylor last year for Indianapolis. they have significantly upgraded their defence at DB with Gino stone and the return of Bell. Like us, they also have good coaching.

Houston Texans: if Stroud does not have a sophomore slump, I think the Texans will rival Cincinnati as our biggest challenge. With the addition of Diggs they probably have the best set of receivers in the league, Mixon should be a slight improvement at RB (thank God they did not get Barkley!). And they improved the defence with Hunter and Autry. Their draft probably got a DB starter (Lassiter), OT starter (Fisher) and TE depth. As a really young team they should improve just from another year of experience, despite no longer having a last place schedule and also no longer catching other teams by surprise. They have a great three year window until they have to pay Stroud. They also have good coaching.

Baltimore: probably not a worry as Jackson is NOT a good enough quarterback when you have to count on him, I doubt Henry will improve the running game as it was already very good, and free agency hurt their offensive line without the draft sufficiently making up for that. Also, I think their defence has deteriorated with losing LB Queen, DB Stone, and edge Clowney, AND Defensive coordinator MacDonald Going to Seattle as head coach and defensive line coach Weaver going to Miami as defensive coordinator. We saw it with Philadelphia last year how losing key coaching personnel can hurt.

Buffalo: I don’t think Buffalo is a worry. Allan just doesn’t have enough support. They decimated their receiving room and I don’t think Samuel and Coleman can fix that. Allan will probably have to play more hero-ball, so likely he will fall apart more often. They also had losses on defence (DBs Poyer and White, DE Floyd) that will probably hurt.

New York Jets: They are only a worry if Rogers returns to his MVP form, and I don’t think that’s likely. At WR Wilson now has a partner in Williams, but that will NOT be enough. They also made good moves at OL getting Smith from Dallas at OT (too bad we didn’t get him) and backing him up in the draft with Fashanu. Adding Reddick at edge should improve the DL. So they should improve. But challenging theChiefs and the other teams above will come down to Rogers.

Miami: this is a bit like Baltimore. They don’t have a good enough quarterback in Tua to beat us. They also lost key defensive players especially Wilkins. Overall, what they lost in free agency was NOT offset by what they gained (even with OBJ! Who I think will do nothing for them.)

Cleveland: this is probably the only other team worth mentioning and it would depend on Watson returning to the top form he showed at Houston. That is highly unlikely. I do expect and hope Nick Chubb will fully recover as he is one of my favourite players. Too bad he doesn’t play here! I doubt adding Jeudy will improve their passing much.

The rest of the teams aren’t worth mentioning, but I will say something about three of them anyway.

Pittsburgh: Russell, Wilson, and Justin fields will be an improvement at QB, but are not going to be a threat.

Indianapolis: if Richardson could play a full season like he did for the first several games last year as both a passer and runner, they might be a threat. But if he plays like that, just like last year, he will probably not last a full season. if they can find a safer way to use him and cut back on his hero ball running They could really move up. And with Taylor, he does not need to run. This will be interesting to watch.

Jacksonville: they probably won’t even beat out Tennessee to finish second in their division after Houston.

[KCJake]

I say it every year, it's the Bengals. They always play us close. Burrow makes the plays in crunch time. As long as Lamar is QB in Baltimore, we're safe there

[BleedingRed]

Laugh all you want but it’s going to be Texans

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Straight, No Chaser

It’s the Bungchokes, the only team that is not the least bit intimidated by the Kansas City Chiefs. Joey seems to get irritable bowel syndrome seeing Chris Jones late in games. I like our chances with 10 days rest and them playing on Sunday night.

Ravens: Lamar is always meh vs. us. Will Derrick Henry have enough in the tank to make a difference? No, kneel to Spags’ supremacy.


Bills: stick a fork in ‘em, they’re done. McDermott will continue to make knee-jerk decisions in critical situations. Fearing Mahomes will do that to you.


San Diego Super Chargers: preseason favorite!

The Bengals played us well one year.....and honestly we choked in that game at the end of the 1st half. Yes, Burrow plays us well, but let's not crown him "almost Mahomes".

Plus...I think the Bengals will miss Mixon and Boyd more than they realize. Chase will always be a threat to contend with but that O line of the Bengals hasn't protected Burrow sufficiently.

I guess I am not as worried about the Bengals as some of you are...and it will be interesting to see if Joey B makes it thru the year without being injured.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

Laugh all you want but it’s going to be Texans

See....I look at the Texans as more of a threat than the Bengals.

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by digger

The biggest threat to the Chiefs this season...

wait for it...

is...


the...


Chiefs...


That's the list...

This is the correct answer.

If the Chiefs bring their A game they can’t be defeated.

[BWillie]

This is the year the injuries start for Allen

[BleedingRed]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

See....I look at the Texans as more of a threat than the Bengals.

They have all the pieces on offense. People don’t understand how good CJ was his first year. His offensive line was shit ALL year and he still took them to playoffs.

CJ is the real comp for us

[New World Order]

Bengals always give us problems.

Bengals and Texans will be our comp this year

[Eureka]

Wild card could be the Raiders. Last team the Chiefs lost to and soundly at that.

Coach Pierce has that team believing they can win the division and the defense looks like it's trending up. They have some great pass rushers and signed Wilkins this offseason. Seems they could add a few more pieces as they have cap space.

The QB situation is not settled but 2nd year QB O'Connell could improve or fall (thus the wild card). O'Connell will get his first offseason with 1st string snaps at OTA's and an OC that has experience (last year he started with a OC who had no experience). He has some great weapons in Adams, Jacoby, and newly added TE Bowers.

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Eureka

Wild card could be the Raiders. Last team the Chiefs lost to and soundly at that.

Coach Pierce has that team believing they can win the division and the defense looks like it's trending up. They have some great pass rushers and signed Wilkins this offseason. Seems they could add a few more pieces as they have cap space.

The QB situation is not settled but 2nd year QB O'Connell could improve or fall (thus the wild card). O'Connell will get his first offseason with 1st string snaps at OTA's and an OC that has experience (last year he started with a OC who had no experience). He has some great weapons in Adams, Jacoby, and newly added TE Bowers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by BleedingRed

They have all the pieces on offense. People don’t understand how good CJ was his first year. His offensive line was shit ALL year and he still took them to playoffs.

CJ is the real comp for us

By the end of this year people will understand he's the 2nd best QB in the conference...

[comochiefsfan]

Nobody mentioned the Titans.

Will Levis and his massive hog could be a problem if he takes a jump in year 2.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by BossChief

This is probably the most stacked team in franchise history.

We lost Sneed (while staying loaded at CB) and gained

Hollywood
Suamataia
Worthy
Punt god
FAU (after redshirt year, essentially)
Cook (back from injury)
Thomson (red shirt year)
Wiley
LRZ (I think he will end up an electric returner with the new rules)
Remegio (off injury)

And no CJ distractions

All aboard the undefeated train!!

Jaden Hicks shouldn't be dismissed, IMO in Nickel situations he'll play Willie Gay's role.

[New World Order]

Raiders remind me of a Jeff Fisher Rams team

[Rainbarrel]

Uh Oh
The Ravens have converted QB Malik Cunningham to WR