Kansas City Chiefs preview (No. 14): Offense must be more than Jamaal Charles
Our 2015 NFL preview series ranks every team, from worst to first. Today: the No. 14 Chiefs.
2014 record: 9-7
Head coach: Andy Reid
Key arrivals: Jeremy Maclin (wide receiver), Paul Fanaika (offensive guard), Tyvon Branch (safety), Ben Grubbs (guard), Jason Avant (wide receiver), *Marcus Peters (cornerback)
(*denotes rookie)
Key departures: Dwayne Bowe (wide receiver), Anthony Fasano (tight end), Ryan Harris (offensive tackle), Jeff Linkenbach (offensive tackle), Mike McGlynn (offensive guard), Rodney Hudson (center), Kevin Vickerson (defensive end), Vance Walker (defensive tackle), Joe Mays (linebacker), Chris Owens (cornerback), Kurt Coleman (safety)
2015 schedule:
Sept. 13: at Houston, 1 p.m.
Sept. 17: Denver, 8:25 p.m.
Sept. 28: at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m.
Oct. 4: at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11: Chicago, 1 p.m.
Oct. 18: at Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25: Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1: Detroit, 9:30 a.m.
Nov. 8: BYE
Nov. 22: at San Diego, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 29: Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Dec. 6: at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 13: San Diego, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20: at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Dec. 27: Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3: Oakland, 1 p.m.
TRAINING CAMP QUESTION: How will the offensive line shape up?
The Chiefs appear set at left tackle (Eric Fisher), right tackle (Donald Stephenson) and left guard after acquiring Ben Grubbs in a trade with New Orleans. That leaves a healthy competition at center and right guard. Eric Kush, a 2013 sixth-round pick, is the frontrunner to replace the departed Rodney Hudson (Oakland) at center. Jeff Allen, Zach Fulton and Paul Fanaika are top options to start at right guard, but don't sleep on promising 2015 second-round choice Mitch Morse, who has received snaps at that spot and center during offseason practices. However it shakes out, this is a much deeper and more talented unit than the one Kansas City fielded in 2014.
IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT
Reid and Co. will build on an impressive first two seasons in Kansas City and contend for the division. With efficient QB play, a physical running game and a stifling defense, the Chiefs have the makeup to ignite a strong push into January. Having added Maclin in free agency, Kansas City finally has an impressive pool of receiving talent with speed and quickness.
IF EVERYTHING GOES WRONG
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Outside linebacker Dee Ford
Considering he was making the transition from 4-3 end, Ford's lack of production in his first NFL season wasn't a surprise. Ford has said he now has a much better feel at his new position, which should lead to more snaps on a unit with heavy-hitting outside linebackers in Tamba Hali and 2014 NFL sacks leader Justin Houston.
CIRCLE THE DATE GAME: vs. Denver in Week 2 (8:25 p.m. ET/Sept. 17)
The Broncos have taken six straight games from Kansas City, marking Denver's longest winning streak in this AFC West rivalry since the 1970s. The Chiefs have a good opportunity to end that skid with Denver coming to Arrowhead Stadium on a short week in the NFL's first Thursday night game of the season.
ALEX MARVEZ'S PREDICTION: 9-7, third place
Considering his prowess as an offensive guru, it was strange seeing Reid's unit struggle so badly in 2014. The offensive line was poor, and the wide receivers were even worse with the unit becoming the first in NFL history to not produce at least one touchdown catch during a 16-game season. Chiefs general manager John Dorsey made strides to improve both areas during the offseason. Kansas City has far more depth now on the offensive line, particularly the interior positions, to help pave the way for running back Jamaal Charles and protect Smith.
Dorsey also reunited Reid with Maclin, who was one of his top wideouts while both were with Philadelphia. The Chiefs, though, need another capable receiving target to emerge besides Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce. There are far less questions about a defense that receives a major boost with the return of free safety Eric Berry following cancer treatment and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, who suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the Week 1 opener. Even with holes on the unit, outside linebacker Justin Houston still finished a half-sack away from tying Michael Strahan's single-season record of 22.
One concern is how long outstanding nose tackle Dontari Poe will miss following recent back surgery. A good litmus test for the Chiefs will come in Week 2 against Denver, an AFC West rival that Reid hasn't beaten since arriving in Kansas City in 2013.
