Why the Kansas City Chiefs can still win the AFC

Defensive optimism

While Kansas City’s defense has largely been a disappointment this season, there is still reason to be optimistic that this group can turn things around. Justin Houston has shown enough flashes of his old self to keep optimism about his impact at a fairly high level. Along with Houston, Chris Jones has also shown the potential to be the game wrecker I know he can be, he just has yet to demonstrate it over 16 games.

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali is again healthy, and I believe he will have a bigger impact than most people think. He looked like a fresh player in his first game back from the Physically Unable to Play list  with plenty of energy, and of course this is what he still brought to the game last year.

Steven Nelson will eventually be back to 100 percent, and while he is no Patrick Peterson, he is a definite upgrade over anyone the Chiefs have been marching out opposite Marcus Peters.

This defense does not have to be as dominant as they have been in years past to compete for a championship, they just have to be a bit better. There is plenty of potential for that to take place.