Locked on Chiefs – In AFCW, Maclin and Hill are not enough

Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) runs past Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Kansas City defeated Baltimore 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) runs past Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Daryl Smith (51) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Kansas City defeated Baltimore 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2017 season at the most stable franchise in the AFC West Division.

With head coach Andy Reid in place and fully backing quarterback Alex Smith, the Chiefs have a consistent duo in their most two important positions. That cannot be said for the rest of the teams within the division. In addition, the Chiefs are set, at least on their first team, at the two next-most-important positions on the roster. The pass rush is shored up with Dee Ford, who at one time led the NFL in sacks in 2016 and Justin Houston we should return in 2017 at full strength. the tackles are in good shape with Eric Fisher and Mitch Schwartz manning the outside.

While the Denver Broncos can boast a pass rush as well as a defense as a whole that can continue their high level of play, other questions are present in Denver. They have a new head coach and coaching staff which have to make the adjustments to a faltering offense. They have a quarterback quandary it will be difficult to sort out even the limit experience of tact and winch, who makes Penny first-round Draft pick on. While not in complete disarray, the Denver Broncos have significant questions to answer this offseason.

The Raiders recently extended their head coach Jack Del Rio for an additional four years. Unfortunately for the Raiders, their franchise quarterback suffered a season-ending injury and may be questionable to start 2017. Possibly more important, the team is at a crossroads and doesn’t know where they’ll be playing in the future. The move to Las Vegas has hit hurdles in recent weeks and there’s even the possibility that the team could move to San Diego.

The Los Angeles Chargers are a team in a new town with a new coaching staff. It’s rumored they have an unhappy quarterback. Playing second fiddle in the city of angels may further relegate the Chargers organization to the bottom of the AFC West.

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Locked on Chiefs is a daily podcast show that drills down to the bottom line and gives you a 360-degree view of the Kansas City Chiefs. Take a few minutes to hear about your Chiefs each day. We’ll cover the offseason, the draft and all the way to the Super Bowl and want to cover the topics you want to hear about. So reach out to us on twitter @LockedOnChiefs with questions and for up to the minute analysis and episode information.

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