Chiefs will win how many games in 2016?
How many games will the Kansas City Chiefs win in 2016?
The Chiefs have enjoyed Andy Reid as their head coach for three seasons. In that span, Kansas City has had a trio of winning campaigns including two playoff berths and finally a postseason win this year, beating the Houston Texans.
Going into the 2016 offseason program, there is optimism about this group. Most of the pending free agents were kept, with Sean Smith and Jeff Allen being the lone departures. General manager John Dorsey also signed receiver Rod Streater and right tackle Mitch Schwartz, giving Kansas City’s offense a healthy boost, especially up front.
After going 11-5 last season despite lengthy losses of Jamaal Charles, Justin Houston, Ben Grubbs, Mitch Morse, De’Anthony Thomas and Phillip Gaines, the Chiefs are looking at an easier schedule and perhaps the most favorable home slate in decades.
The schedule breaks down as such:
HOME: Oakland, Denver, San Diego, New York Jets, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Tennessee, New Orleans, Tampa Bay
ROAD: Oakland, Denver, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Houston, Carolina, Atlanta
Frankly, the Chiefs should not lose a game in Arrowhead Stadium. The best opponent there might be the Raiders, and Kansas City is 5-1 against them under Reid and 3-0 at Arrowhead. New York could be tricky, although it currently has no quarterback.
The road schedule is more daunting yet reasonable. The Chiefs swept the divisional opponents on the road last year but don’t expect that in 2016. Kansas City also has very tough tests against the Steelers and Panthers. Contests against the Falcons and Colts are hard to figure, but neither of those teams are on Kansas City’s level.
Personally, I can’t see a reason to think the Chiefs will have less than the 11 wins they had last year. Some will point to Houston’s injury, but the team went 6-0 without him last season. Kansas City is also getting Charles back along with the other aforementioned players who were hurt. Marcus Peters will also be in his second season and another draft class is on the way.
While the injury to Houston is a concern and the losses of Smith and Husain Abdullah must be accounted for, the Chiefs should be a better unit all told. Kansas City also faces a lesser schedule and comes into the fray as the AFC West favorite.
In the final analysis, put me down for 12 wins and a division title. It might very well be enough for a BYE in the AFC playoffs as well.
What say you, Addicts?