It’s finally that time of the year for the Kansas City Chiefs to get down to business. 18+ players are on this year’s 53-man roster who were not on the first roster one year ago. Thats’ a 34% turnover rate. While that may be the case, the offensive line, where the Chiefs have five brand spanking new starters, it looks like they’ve already gelled a lot while spending time off the field together, which should improve on-field communication. Consequently, I expect the OL to get stronger as the year progresses. Let’s take a look at what our writers think will happen to this year’s new collective. –Laddie Morse
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James S. McGregor: 15-and-2
The Chiefs come roaring into the 2021 season with an overhauled O-line and a scorched-earth mentality. While I will not predict a perfect record, it might not be completely outside the realm of possibility. However, I see two losses on the schedule. In Week 15 the Chiefs follow a division rival matchup against the Raiders by traveling to Los Angeles to face the Chargers on short rest. To face a top division rival in the Chargers, under the prime time lights of Thursday night may prove to be too much for the Chiefs. If this opponent can stay healthy, I see them being a challenge even without the short week. Also, look for another end-of-season loss when Coach Reid rests starters after locking up the top seed in the AFC. However, if the Chiefs manage to pull off a win in Week 15 and go into Week 18 undefeated, there may be a whole different discussion about whether or not coach and team wish to chase history and eternal glory!
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David Bell: 15-and-2
I have been known to be optimistic about the Chiefs and nothing has changed. I see the early part of the season to be daunting but other teams are facing a daunting adversary: The Kansas City Chiefs. I really like what Brett Veach has accomplished in bringing the right players to the house. I like the rookies a bunch and it appears that the Chiefs really like the group as well. Three Rookies will start on the Offensive Line and I am not sure I see that as a weakness. The DL is improved and our LB corp is at least 5 strong, with Omari Cobb (PS) making headway in the process. The secondary was my biggest worry. However, as camp and the preseason games have shown, it appears K.C. has the right personnel, despite lacking a true, long-term veteran in the room. I can’t see the offense being anything but better than 2020. We are adding two new TE’s, both with talent. Our WR corps is deep. Bottom line? We have the future GOAT at the helm! In a 17 game season and knowing how tough it is to win out, I am not going with 17-0, although it’s a possibility.
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Josh Kingsley: 14-and-3
The Chiefs close the first 3-game preseason with a perfect record. I am seeing that winning run go for quite some time. In fact, I do not see a loss coming for a couple more months. The stretch of games to start the season is pretty rough, but our buys can handle it. We will see some losses, 3 to be exact in my projection, but that should get it done to win the West. We will be in discussion for another Super Bowl all season. This is business as usual and that is a good thing.
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Shawn Sorter: 15-and-2
15-and-2 may seem high, and I was surprised after using a full NFL schedule Playoff Predictor to go through every game and pick a winner. Until I remembered that last year the Chiefs essentially ended the regular season 14-and-1 in games where they were trying. I have them losing week 2 on the road to the Ravens. I realize that Lamar calls Patrick Daddy, but I gotta find a loss somewhere and the Ravens are too good of a team to keep losing to us, especially at home. The 2nd loss comes at Tennessee in week 7. We have lost to them before with Patrick at QB and just like 2 seasons ago it seems like a great game to lose at their place to then go and win out the rest of the way. History has a way of repeating itself.
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Michael Travis Rose: 17-and-0
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“The only record I have my eyes set on breaking, which would be new this year, would be going 20-and-0, being able to go 20-and-0 and being the first one to do that, that would be awesome.” – Patrick Mahomes
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Patrick Mahomes is the only NFL player I’ve ever known whose able to be both brash and humble. It’s an admirable quality. The only thing more commendable about Mahomes is that he can back it up and then some. I dig that about him! That’s why I’m rolling with MVPII. That’s right, I’m predicting a 17-and-0 record in the regular season and a clean sweep in the post-season. 20-and-0, baby! Coach Reid, Mahomes with a revamped offensive line, Kelce, Hill, etc. are just the team to do it, too. As they say in the ‘only available from TV’ commercials, “But wait there’s more …” I predict Chris Jones will break Michael Strahan’s 22.5 sack record (although, unofficially it is the Detroit Lions Al Baker who had 23 sacks in 1978 as a rookie. The NFL did not officially count sacks until 1982.). Moreover, I predict Nick Bolton will be a serious contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year. I predict that both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will lead the league in their respective positions. Truth is, I am a quintessential Homer. I know this. But when it comes to my Chiefs, It’s all Skittles, sprinkles, rainbows and unicorns. GO CHIEFS!
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Wesley Peel: 15-and-2, and SB LVI Champs!
As I look at the 2021 Kansas City Chiefs schedule, I struggle to find a team to challenge. I do not find any of their opponents threatening. This team has yet to reach its peak, and Patrick Mahomes has yet to reach his peak. Mahomes has yet to end a season prior to the AFC Championship, won an MVP, a Super Bowl, and the rest of the players have deemed him the best player in the league. Mahomes will turn 26 years old shortly after the season starts and will have the best O-line of his young career. This team will have the AFC one-seed locked up after 15 games and choose to rest their starters. Whether the backups lose two games, or the starters have lost a game prior to, the Chiefs will lose two games. This will be the most efficient Chiefs offense, plus, the defense looked scary in the preseason.
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Laddie Morse: 17-and-0
“I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her (him), if I tried.” That’s right, I’m starting my 2021 prediction with a quote from a song by The Monkees — which was actually written by Neil Diamond – which is from 55 years ago, and hey Millennials and Gen Zers, you can’t blame that one on climate change (sorry, a little generational angst spilling over). More importantly, the reference I’m making really is to Patrick Mahomes here. After all, someone has to go out on a limb, with Travis, and support the guy we’ve all been calling the best quarterback since sliced brisket. I actually think the Chiefs most difficult game this season will be their first game vs the Browns tomorrow. Once the Chiefs get past them, should they do so, I think a 17 win season is a likely. The only caveat I have to that prediction is, if K.C. is leading the AFC Conference by 2 or more games heading into week 18 (that’s right there are 18 weeks in this 17 game season), then they will rest all their starters. That also means, they could lose their last game and be okay with it. So, in reality, 17-and-0… or… 16-and-1, either way, the Chiefs are big winners this year. I may be glassy eyed and giddy, but honestly, would you have it any other way?
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So, what’s your prediction for the Chiefs this year?
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ArrowheadOne Writers
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