Our big Chiefs 2015 preview and predictions

We are oh so close now. Just one day to go until the new season. The last time the Chiefs played meaningful snaps was back on December the 28th. How long ago does that sound? If I could change one thing about the NFL it would be the length of the season. I would add 2 regular season games and add another bye week. I know the teams might not like it but as a fan, I would go for anything that would shorten this horrible waiting time we currently deal with.

Anyway, less of that. Football season is here. Thursday night's game between the Patriots and Steelers only increased my appetite for Chiefs football. And with only 27 hours or so to go at time of writing I am well and truly in football mode now. Apologies to my girlfriend who now has to watch TV in the bedroom every Sunday night for the next 5 months.

Sorry . . . not sorry.

So what are my personal expectations for the Chiefs season?

Schedule

I am not going to lie, when I saw the scheduling back in April I was very worried about the Chiefs playoff chances. I know the London game does hinder the host team's chances due to scheduling, but it seems to me that the Chiefs have been dealt a particularly bad hand by the fixture boths' at NFL HQ. None the less, I honestly believe that the depth the excellent Arrowhead coaching and management staff have built means the Chiefs are brilliantly poised to deal with such problems. If the Chiefs can enter the bye week .500 or above then they can make a run. 5 of their last 7 games are at home. A huge advantage to have for any team. An even bigger advantage if your home is Arrowhead.

In's an out's

I am going to start with the out's. At the time Rodney Hudson was a huge loss, and still may turn out to be a huge loss. For the last 2 years he has been our most consistent offensive lineman. To lose your center is tough. To lose him to the Raiders is even tougher. The team also lost long time WR Dwayne Bowe. But unlike Hudson it was the team that ended the relationship. Dwayne's performances of the last 2 years have not been good enough to warrant his contract.

The introduction of Jeremy Maclin, and Ben Grubbs instantly make the Chiefs better at positions they really struggled with in 2014. Grubbs is a former pro bowl Left Guard whilst J-Mac put up superstar numbers at the wide receiver position last year with the Eagles. I expect Maclin to have another big year.

Jeremy Maclin prediction - 1100 yards and 9 TDs. Yes that's right, 9 WR touchdowns.

This years draft has given us a couple of week one starters. Cornerback Marcus Peters and Center Mitch Morse have both has successful preseasons. Morse's play especially has eased my worries about losing Hudson.

Defense

This D is legit. There is no getting away from it. Surprisingly enough there is a lot of people that doesn't see it. For the life of me I don't understand why. This unit ranked 2nd in points allowed last year. Probably the most important stat of them all.

Depth Chart

LDE - Mike DeVito, Rakeem Nunez-Roches

NT - Jaye Howard, Dontari Poe

RDE - Allen Bailey, Nick Williams

LOLB - Justin Houston, Frank Zombo

LILB - Josh Mauga, Ramik Wilson

RILB- Derrick Johnson, D.J. Alexander

ROLB - Tamba Hali, Dee Ford

LCB - Phillip Gaines, Marcus Cooper

RCB - Marcus Peters, Jamell Fleming Steven Nelson

SS - Ron Parker, Tyvon Branch

FS - Husain Abdullah, Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen

Suspended: Sean Smith

This unit is loaded. There is not a single weak spot. The return of Johnson, DeVito and Berry will be influential for this team in 2015. The team wasn't convincing against the run in 2014, so to have these three back will sure up that side of things.

The superhuman that is Dontari Poe will again anchor the defensive line. Causing enough problems in the middle for Tamba Hali and Justin Houston to do their thing on the outside.

The secondary didn't give up a single 300 yard passing game in 2014. The emergence of Sean Smith as a shutdown corner was certainly a big reason for this. Expect similar results this year now he has an even stronger supporting cast.

Unlike 2013 turnovers were hard to come by last year, but that certainly doesn't mean they didn't have the opportunities. I can remember at least 6 easy interceptions that was left on the field last year. Had we converted them, then we would have been playing in January, that is for sure.

Bob Sutton's defense will always keep us in games. If the team can improve in the turnover department then they will win us games.

Prediction - Top 4 total defense, 19 points per game allowed, 48 sacks, 19 turnovers (Special teams included), 4 pro bowlers, a defensive rookie of the year and a comeback player of the year.

Offense

This will be the biggest surprise of the entire league in 2015. No one expects us to be an offensive juggernaut this year. Well I do. The pieces that have been added in the off season can spur this team to 26 - 35 points a game. We have scored on teams before under Reid. We just lacked the roster to do so consistently. Now the weapons are in place.

Offense depth chart

WR - Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Chris Conley

LT - Donald Stephenson,Jah Reid

LG - Ben Grubbs,Paul Fanaika

C - Mitch Morse,Zach Fulton

RG - Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Jeff Allen

RT - Eric Fisher, Jah Reid

TE - Travis Kelce, James O'Shaughnessy, Demetrius Harris, Brian Parker

WR - Albert Wilson, De'Anthony Thomas, Frankie Hammond

QB - Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Aaron Murray

RB - Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis, Charcandrick West

FB - Anthony Sherman

An improved offensive line, a true number one receiver, a future top 3 tight end, a quarterback that doesn't turn the ball over and a quartet of backs led by a future hall of famer. On paper this offense should be able to score on teams.

If you watched the Patriots win the other night then you would have seen how dangerous a top TE can be. 'Mini Gronk' Travis Kelce is already the darling of the Arrowhead faithful, due to his likable character and great play on the field. Expect him to cement his place in our hearts a little more this year, leading a very young quartet of Tight Ends.

Travis Kelce prediction - 950 yards & 7 TD

I am pro Alex Smith. He knows his limitations as a quarterback and plays very well within those limits. Ik now there are calls for him to open it up more, which I entirely get. But by doing this you possibly take away from the best part of his game. The ability not to turn the ball over. The Chiefs have 3 notable 'yards after the catch' weapons in Charles, Kelce and Maclin. I am more than happy for Alex to give up the ball short and let our home run hitters do their thing.

Alex Smith prediction - 3200 yards, 25 TD, 7 INT and 2 rushing TD

Future hall of famer Jamaal Charles had a 'down' year in 2014. However a down year for Jamaal is a great year for most running backs. There is no doubt Jamaal is a special talent and will come back from his 'down' year. And with an improved offensive line in front of him expect Jamaal's numbers to be way up this year.

Jamaal Charles prediction - 1400 rushing yards, 300 receiving yards, 13 rushing TD & 4 receiving TD.

It is clear the offensive personnel is there. It is clear the play calling is there. Should everything come together then expect a big year from the Chiefs offense.

Offensive predictions - Top 10 unit, 50+ TD and 4 pro bowlers

The Chiefs 2015 season will end in . .

Glory.

The sky is the limit for the team. If everything clicks then they are a genuine Superbowl contender. However, if it will only take a couple of things to go wrong for this team to finish third in the division. Over the off season my record prediction has gone from 7-9 to 9-7. Now I am leaning towards 11-5 and a division title. Add to that 2 play off wins and an appearance in the AFC Championship game. From there? Who knows. Maybe I will be popping down the bank for a loan to take me to Levis Stadium in early February.

Enjoy the season Chiefs Kingdom.