What teams pose greatest threat to Chiefs?

As the Kansas City Chiefs have now clinched a playoff berth, against all odds, time to look ahead (we can, Chiefs can’t) to possible opponents for the Chiefs.

Teams that I view as the greatest threat for the Chiefs to reach the playoffs may surprise. Should be noted, as we all saw last week with the Baltimore Ravens defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers, any team can win on any given Sunday. Should be noted, with the unknown surrounding Justin Houston and the concern over Tamba Hali, will be curious to see how the Chiefs defense responds. The absence of both last weekend was glaring.

The greatest threat as I see it would be none other then the New York Jets. Yes, that’s right, the Jets, the team that has to win on the road against the Buffalo Bills just to ensure they make the playoffs. But this is also the same team that defeated the New England Patriots this past weekend. With a pair of solid cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie as well as a physical front, moving the ball against the Jets defense will be difficult. The Jets also posses a good offensive line and two big, solid wide receivers that can highpoint the ball and get open. The Jets would surely be a tough out for the Chiefs, or any team in the playoffs.

After the Jets, the next team to fear would be the Cincinnati Bengals. Of course, much like the concern with Houston and Hali, the same concern, if not more so, is present with Andy Dalton. If A.J. McCarron is the starting quarterback, it’s hard to see the Bengals ending their playoff streak this year. However, they are a physical team on both sides of the football with a really good wide receiver and a solid defense on all three levels. The Bengals running game is more for show and effect then it is truly effective, as they use the run game to open the passing game to A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert.

Third will be the New England Patriots. Fear resides purely in the right arm of Tom Brady. The greatest quarterback ever really is playing with a team that is leaving a lot to be desired, especially of late as the team has been decimated by injury. It can’t be understated, the Patriots choose to kick off in overtime because they couldn’t protect Tom Brady. The Chiefs likely won’t face Tom Brady until the AFC Championship game, so hopefully Houston and Hali are healthy and able to get after the passer. (Of course the Chiefs have to make it this far, and they have failed to make it this far in the playoffs in a much discussed extended period of time). Obviously, Tom Brady is able to make any ordinary player a better performer, but can he do so if the Patriots continue to have serious issues along the offensive line?

Pittsburgh, if they are able to squeeze in, would also concern me, but the Steelers issues running the football and stopping the pass don’t bode well for sucess in the post season, even if they make it (Pittsburgh has to defeat Cleveland and Buffalo has to defeat the Jets). Yes, with Ben Rothlisberger at quarterback and the trio of receivers they have, it’s a worrisome issue, but, again, the Steelers can’t run the ball well and don’t have a great offensive line. Again, the Steelers are currently on the outside looking in for the playoffs, so they have to get there before we worry.

Outside of these three teams, can’t really say there is a great amount of fear in any team. Denver’s defense, to a degree, has begun to fade down the stretch, or they simply were overrated from the outset and the fear of Peyton Manning forced teams into decisions they were not equipped to properly to execute. The Houston Texans have a nice defensive front, and have a good wide receiver, but have serious issues at quarterback and have issues running the football.