How the Kansas City Chiefs won the West

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This next stage of the season may prove to be what either makes or breaks 2015 for Kansas City. After the bye the Chiefs head to Denver, then to San Diego, play the Bills at home, then head back out west to Oakland. The game in Denver will be toughest of this stretch, but that isn’t saying much because all four of these games could be tough. I would love for the Chiefs to go into Denver beat Peyton Manning by 1,583 points and for him to retire in shame. That said, it’ll be rough.

If the Chiefs can get a win at Mile High they would be sitting at 2-0 in the division and 7-2 overall, but I’m picking a loss. Playing the Chargers in San Diego will be another tough game, because playing the Chargers is always cause for concern. But I say the Chiefs win this one with either a late field goal or a game-saving pick. Next up is the Bills in Kansas City. This game is going to be exciting. I believe this will be a low scoring game with a combined 15 sacks from both teams.

What were looking at is two great defenses playing each other and playing for playoff spots. Since this game comes down to defense, I think the Chiefs have the edge due to the secondary. Now comes the game that left a bad taste in every Kansas City fan’s mouth last year. The Raiders in Oakland.

Kansas City struggled in just about every aspect of the game last year and lost by four. I know that the Raiders had a great offseason, but I still think the Chiefs will be heavy favorites against them for the time being. That puts the Chiefs at a respectable 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the division.

To finish the season the Chiefs have San Diego at home followed by the Ravens on the road, then the Browns and Raiders at home. The home game against San Diego will be another close one again. I see both of the games against the Chargers playing out the same way, being won or lost on the last possession of the game. Since I am an optimist, I am going to say the Chiefs win with a field goal from Cairo Santos as time runs out. The Ravens will be a tough one in Baltimore, I think this is a winnable game but it is another one that I am not going to get my hopes up for. I see it being close, but ultimately not in the Chiefs favor.

Now good news for Chiefs fans, arguably two of the easiest games of the season are at home to end the regular season. One paper the Chiefs are better than the Browns and the Raiders, as long as Kansas City comes out and takes care of business, they should win both of these games and get to 12-4 and 4-2 in the division. Which would be enough to win the division for the first time since 2010 and should seal up a first-round bye as long as the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots play along with my predictions.