Chiefs 2015: This could be a great year in Kansas City

Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates with linebacker Tamba Hali (91) after making a sack against the St. Louis Rams in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

While he has elsewhere expressed concerns about the offense, MMQB/Sports Illustrated’s Robert Klemko recently noted that the Kansas City linebackers are among the best in recent history. He also noted the the following concerning the defense as a whole: “Now that they have all of the pieces back, it probably will be the number one defense in the NFL.”

I am not going to make any predictions about the Chiefs playing in February. And this does not look like a team where you would apply the moniker of “juggernaut.” But it does look like a team that will be better than last year. A team that should have the ability to compete with any other team in the league.

We will figure out how true that is very quickly when the Chiefs open up the season with a brutal four-week stretch that includes three road games, two primetime competitions, and a mid-week affair against the Broncos. K.C. will most likely be the underdog in at least two of those first four games.

But if everyone is able to stay healthy, Andy Reid does not out-think himself (i.e., dramatically under using Charles like at certain times last season), the line can give Smith a little bit longer than last year, and Maclin can get open a little quicker and more often than Dwayne Bowe did, then every game on the schedule should be winnable.

We have finally made it to September, and it feels like a great time to be a Chiefs fan.

GO CHIEFS!