NFL Power Rankings: Chiefs Getting (Some) Respect

The folks over at ESPN have released their Week 1 NFL Power Rankings.

The Kansas City Chiefs have some ground to make up in all power rankings following a poor season in 2011. There seems to be growing agreement among experts at various news outlets that the Chiefs have improved and have a shot at the playoffs. Still, it looks as though KC is going to have to make some noise on the field before they get more recognition nationally.

Let’s take a look at where every AFC West team ranked this week.

13. Denver Mannings Broncos

There is no getting around this. The Donkeys landed the biggest free agency fish of all-time this offseason and they’ve raised their street cred because of it. Manning looked pretty good in the preseason too…then again, I found myself saying the same thing about Colt McCoy and the Browns last year at this time. We all know how that turned out.

15. San Diego Chokers Chargers

Up next is Phillip Rivers and the Bolts. As per usual, the Chargers are vastly overrated, despite not winning the AFC West for a couple of years. Generally, they get the nod because their QB is good, but even Rivers had a down year in 2011. Can they bounce back in 2012?

17. Kansas City Chiefs

Our boys come in at #17. They sit just behind a 2011 playoff team in the Bengals. I think that is how most folks view the Chiefs at this point. They see a fringe playoff team with a questionable QB. But Matt Cassel led the Chiefs to an AFC West Championship with a worse team than he will lead this season. I like KC’s chances to move up this list.

26. Oakland Faiders Raiders

The Raiders bring up the rear here. I think Oakland is moving in the right direction but to do so, they had to dump a lot of cap space (and talent) this offseason. As a result, the Raiders have gotten worse. Also, Carson Palmer looked dreadful in the preseason. They still have Darren McFadden so the Raiders are dangerous but they could struggle this season. The ranking seems right.

What do you think, Addicts? Did the Chiefs get a fair ranking here?