Are the 2020 Chiefs Better Than the 2019 Chiefs

Are the 2020 Chiefs Better Than the 2019 Chiefs – Someone recently asked, “Who do you not want the Chiefs to face in the playoffs this year?”

Green Bay may be a good answer but, for me it raises a question: Are the 2020 Chief ready for the playoffs? Or, to put it another way: Are the 2020 Chiefs Better Than the 2019 Chiefs?

Let’s take a look.

The Quarterback Position – Better

Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes right? 2019 was actually a down year for Mahomes compared to the 2018 MVP season he had then. This year, he’s not only putting up MVP numbers and in consideration for that awards again — and rightfully so — but he’s led this team to a 12-and-1 record. A record the Chiefs have never achieved before. The Chiefs are on a 21-and-1 roll right now and Mahomes is the biggest reason for that roll.

The Running Back Position – Better

While the RB position didn’t have a huge roll in 2019, when Damien Williams was right, opposing teams had to respect his ability as his 40 time is decidedly faster than either Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Le’Veon Bell’s. OTOH, CEH and LevBell have been 100% available each week of this season while started 6 games in 2019.

The Tight End Position – Better

Travis Kelce was a dynamic force in 2019. In 2020 he got even better and is now competing for the league lead in receiving yards, something no tight end has ever done before. How he just keeps getting better and better is a fact that no opposing defensive coordinator appears to have an answer for.

The Wide Receiver Position – Better

With Tyreek Hill tied for the league lead with 14 TDs and in third place in receiving yards among all WRs with 1,158 yards. Hill’s rounded into one of the NFL’s best WRs and is much better than he was a year ago. Sammy Watkins may not have shown more this year (yet) than last year, but the treat he offers must be respected.

Mecole Hardman has 489 yards thru 13 games this year and is averaging 4 yards more per game. Not a huge uptick, but a little bit better for sure. The rest of the WR core is solid.

The Offensive Line Position – Worse

With Eric Fisher having another very good season, perhaps his best, the questions are distributed amongst the other OL positions. all of which are not looking great this season. LG, Kelechi Osemele went out early on but Nick Allegretti has held up well. Austin Reiter at Center was out for a game or two and Daniel Kilgore did a good job replacing him but Reiter is back and regrettably so. At RG, LDT opted out and Andrew Wylie has struggled.

Mitchell Schwartz went down in week 11 against the Raiders (of course) and is eligible to return from IR but, ChiefsWire asks: Will He? If, and that’s a decided “IF”… Schwartz deos return, every other OL position gets better because he has been the Chiefs best offensive lineman for years now. It’s worth noting that the OL woes haven’t been front and center in the news because of the type of year Patrick Mahomes is having, so while the OL is rated “Worse” here, the team is still 12-and-1 which makes it’s hard to complain about any position.

The Defensive Line Position – Worse, Barely

Tershawn Wharton has been a breath of fresh air.

Mike Pennel has experienced a slight downturn in performance this year, but Derrick Nnadi has maintained a status quo. The real questions come at DE, right? While Chris Jones has had fewer sacks (9.5 in 201 to 6.0 in 2020) he still has three games to go and already has more QB hits than last season His 4 Passes Defensed in 2019 and 3 Passes Defensed in 2020, put him on the same pace. Frank Clark it’s been publicized that he’s struggled this year, he had 8.0 sacks in 2019 and has 5.0 sacks this year with three games to go. In 2019 he had 37 tackles and he has 26 tackles so far this season. Both Clark and CJ have the ability to elevate this game (yes, flip the switch) so I’m not so concerned.

The Linebacker Position – Worse

The contributions of Reggie Ragland last year, stand out like a sore thumb for a current group looking for answers. While fans and local pundits (yours included) see Willie Gay Jr. as an answer, his severely limited snaps remain the question.

The Cornerback Position – Better

When the Chiefs broke camp and headed into the season, the CB position was considered a weakness. Now, it may be considered one of the the stronger positions on the team. L’Jarius Sneed started out great and since his return from injury he’s been relegated to the Slot CB position and his performances have not stood out like they did when he was filling in for Bashaud Breeland during his 4 game suspension. While being selected 138th overall, Sneed’s been one of the best corners in 2020’s highly touted CB draft class:

Rashad Fenton has progressed and while Charvarius Ward broke his hand early in the year and then struggled — with a club hand and/or having it wrapped — since he returned he’s progressed and has been rounding into form. Bashaud Breeland’s performances have ranged between meritless and meritorious so, there’s not much change from last year to this. The coaching of the DB’s by Sam Madison and Dave Merritt should be mentioned here because they’ve been stellar.

The Safety Position – Same

Tyrann Mathieu has been criticized this season but he had 4 INTs last year and he has 6 INTs this season including a pick-6. Juan Thornhill has struggled to regain the speed he had pre-injury in 2019 but his snaps have been limited and he’s making progress and may well be full strength by the time the playoffs arrive. Daniel Sorensen has been criticized but he’s one of the better box-safeties in the league and is one of the team’s hardest hitters. Armani Watts play this year is a wash.

The Special Teams Positions – Same

Harrison Butker had Extra Point issues earlier in the year. NOw, he can be counted on as much as any kicker to go out and win it in the game’s waning seconds. Tommy Townsend has been an average punter but looks like his leg has a ton of potential. Mecole Hardman had a Punt Return for a TD last week and looks like the same level of threat as he ever was last season when he made the Pro Bowl as a Kick Returner.

The Coaching – Better

It’s my belief that when a coach breaks through with a championship, it becomes easier to do it again. It also has to do with the success and longevity of the personal relationships between players and coaches:

“Seeing Coach Reid’s car that never leaves the lot because he cares about us so dang much” -Travis Kelce

The Experience Factor

When you’ve “Been-there-and-done-that” it helps. A lot. For the Chiefs, who have an offense predicated on new and creative ways to attack a defense, their experience becomes a critical element: an element that helps to influence and inform, as they get set to #runitback!

Summary: Are These Chiefs Better?

Are the 2020 Chiefs better than the 2019 Chiefs? Without seeing this team play in the playoffs yet, it’s hard to say for sure. From a position by position standpoint — so far — it’s looking good. With Damien Williams, LDT, Lucas Niang, possibly others returning, and Brett Veach behind the wheel, 2021 is looking up as well.

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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