2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 11-6, Super Bowl Champions

Remember when the Kansas City Chiefs lost on the opening Thursday Night of the 2023 season to the Detroit Lions? The sky was not falling as Kansas City went onto win six in a row and prove that they were contenders once again. The winning continued, with a mini two-game losing streak mixed in, until the postseason. The Chiefs once again advanced to the Super Bowl and won the rematch with the San Francisco 49ers.

2024 Kansas City Chiefs Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: WR Xavier Worthy, WR Marquise Brown, OT Kingsley Suamataia, TE Irv Smith, QB Carson Wentz

Key Losses: WR Mecole Hardman, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, OT Donovan Smith, OG Nick Allegretti

How could you feel anything but great about this Kansas City Chiefs’ offense with Patrick Mahomes under center? He enters yet another season as a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion. At this pace, Tom Brady might have some competition when discussing the best of all-time. For now, Mahomes focuses on this season and might have an improved group of weapons.

Many thought last year would be the time to catch the Chiefs given the lack of explosive weapons. Ka’Darious Toney showed an inability to catch the ball and this led to his release. Travis Kelce was having an average year, by his terms, and the ground game was controlled by Isiah Pacheco.

This season, Kelce and Pacheco remain constants but Mahomes has a new weapon in Xavier Worthy. The Texas product was the second wide receiver taken in the draft and possesses elite speed on the outside. We all remember what Mahomes was able to do with Tyreek Hill. This is not to say that Worthy will be Hill but he has big-play ability and that bodes well in Kansas City.

The offensive line is built from within for Kansas City. Creed Humphrey and his newly-minted contract will continue to be one of the best centers in the league. On either side, he has an elite guard in Joe Thuney and Trey Smith. Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor are slated at the tackles but that leaves much to be desired.

Kansas City enters another season as the favorites in the AFC. As reigning two-time Super Bowl champs, the Chiefs are king until someone dethrones them.

Defense

Key Additions: S Jaden Hicks

Key Losses: LB Willie Gay, CB L’Jarius Sneed, S Mike Edwards

The defense in Kansas City took a major jump last season, allowing just over 17 points per game. This was much-needed over the course of the season as the offense halted at times. Will the defense be the same this season?

The loss of L’Jarius Sneed will prove costly as he was a true shutdown corner on the outside last season. Now, Trent McDuffie will be asked to move from the slot and take on an extended role. Bryan Cook and Justin Reid return as the starting safeties from last season.

The defensive line is led by Chris Jones, who is one of the best defensive tackles in football. The interior defensive is not deep beyond Jones but the Chiefs have focused on building the edges. George Karlaftis is a talented pass rusher who finished with 10.5 sacks last season. The linebackers are rock solid as well as they continue to be in the middle of the league. Nick Bolton and Leo Chenal, along with Drue Tranquill run the show.

The Chiefs have done enough on defense recently and that will be the hope once again.

Schedule

Week 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens – Thursday Night Football

Week 2: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 3: at Atlanta Falcons

Week 4: at Los Angeles Chargers – Sunday Night Football

Week 5: vs. New Orleans Saints – Monday Night Football

Week 6: BYE WEEK

Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 8: at Las Vegas Raiders

Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Bucs – Monday Night Football

Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 11: at Buffalo Bills

Week 12: at Carolina Panthers

Week 13: vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Friday Night Football

Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Chargers – Sunday Night Football

Week 15: at Cleveland Browns

Week 16: vs. Houston Texans – Saturday Afternoon

Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers – Christmas Day

Week 18: at Denver Broncos

Record Prediction: 12-5