Can Kansas City Chiefs win AFC West?

Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) dives in for a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Well with all the improvement on both sides of the ball, can the Chiefs secure first place in the AFC West? Simply put, yes.

In fact, I think the biggest competition in the division is not in fact Denver, but the San Diego Chargers. Now, of course Denver will be good: they have a run game, a stacked defense, and some guy named Manning. But San Diego is sneaky. They have a good defense, and their offense only improved with running back Melvin Gordon. They now have a run game which could have been the missing piece all these seasons.

Oakland is on the rise, but they still have a lot of gaps, and until they get everything in place, they will continue to pull up the rear in the west.

For the Chiefs to take first, they need to remain healthy. Jamaal Charles has said that he did not feel completely healthy in 2014, so with a recuperated Charles and a resurgent receiving group, the Chiefs do have a shot. As stated, if their defense can improve in the run and stay the same in the pass, they should have all the pieces together to take first.

Should is the optimal word in all of this. As sad as it is to say it, I think the Chiefs will once again take second place in the AFC West, despite the offseason improvements. Until Manning’s reign ends, the Chiefs will remain in his shadow.

However, I’d love to be wrong about that.

What do you think, Addicts? Is this the year that the Chiefs take back first? What do you think needs to happen for them to do it? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

Go, Chiefs!