Avoiding the Super Bowl hangover will be the biggest problem for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. Heavy favorites to win the AFC West for a fifth straight season, the Chiefs won 12 games in three of the last four years while averaging 11.5 victories. And guess what, their win total surfaced at 11.5, tied for the highest in the league. They’ll have to reach 12 again to make winners of over bettors. There is a good chance they get there. The Chiefs return nearly all their starters from a season ago and the division, while improved, didn’t have a second team finish above .500.
Chiefs Over 11.5 Wins -124
Chiefs Under 11.5 Wins +103
2020 Kansas City Chiefs Preview
In two years with Patrick Mahomes behind center the Chiefs had one of the top offenses in the league. That will continue in 2020 with all the playmakers back. Mahomes didn’t have numbers in 2019 that he compiled the previous season, but the Chiefs got the grand prize at the end of the year with a stirring fourth quarter comeback to knock off the 49ers in the Super Bowl. The 2018 MVP showed his toughness by rebounding from a knee injury that sidelined him for two full games and part of another to complete 66 percent of his passes with 26 touchdowns and a 105.3 rating.
Scoring will not be a problem. In Mahomes’ rookie season KC led the league with 35.3 points per game. They scored a touchdown less per game last year finishing second in the NFL. The passing attack is sharp with explosive Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce dependable pass catchers. The run game produced just 98 yards per contest and could be viewed as a weakness. However, peeling back the layers the Chiefs had the sixth-fewest attempts in the NFL. Taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire with their top draft pick will bolster the backfield and the return of Eric Fisher will keep the line solid.
While the offense saw its scoring numbers decline so did the defense. The Chiefs surrendered a touchdown less per game to rank seventh in scoring defense. The group also cut its yards allowed by more than 55 per game from 2018 to 2019. Those improvements are the reason why KC is the defending champion. They struggled against the run conceding 128.2 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry, but overall Steve Spagnoulo’s group is strong.
Week 1: Texans at Chiefs, Thursday, September 10, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 2: Chiefs at Chargers, Sunday, September 20, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 3: Chiefs at Ravens, Monday, September 28, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 4: Patriots at Chiefs, Sunday, October 4, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 5: Raiders at Chiefs, Sunday, October 11, 1 p.m. ET
Week 6: Chiefs at Bills, Thursday, October 15, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 7: Chiefs at Broncos, Sunday, October 25, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 8: Jets at Chiefs, Sunday, November 1, 1 p.m. ET
Week 9: Panthers at Chiefs, Sunday, November 8, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Chiefs at Raiders, Sunday, November 22, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 12: Chiefs at Buccaneers, Sunday, November 29, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 13: Broncos at Chiefs, Sunday, December 6, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 14: Chiefs at Dolphins, Sunday, December 13, 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: Chiefs at Saints, Sunday, December 20, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 16: Falcons at Chiefs, Sunday, December 27, 1 p.m. ET
Week 17: Chargers at Chiefs, Sunday, January 3, 1 p.m. ET
2020 Kansas City Chiefs Schedule Analysis
While the rest of the AFC West is going through some kind of change, the Chiefs are the stable unit. That will certainly help in their quest to win at least 12 games. The Raiders have a bunch of new faces and a new home in Las Vegas. They didn’t do enough to challenge KC. An era ended for the Chargers with Philip Rivers gone. The Bolts struggled to five wins last season and will turn to journeyman Tyrod Taylor and eventually rookie Justin Herbert to run the offense. And the Broncos have pieces, but they also have a question mark at quarterback.
Winning the Super Bowl puts you in the spotlight. The Chiefs have five primetime games on the slate with a Week 3 tilt against Baltimore being the most anticipated. The AFC East and NFC South cycle through this year with games against Buffalo and New Orleans likely the most difficult. KC closes the campaign with home games against Atlanta and the Chargers giving them a great opportunity to win at least 12 games for a third straight season.
The Final Verdict
It’s hard to win in the NFL. Having continuity with personnel and coaches gives the Chiefs an edge. Playing in the AFC West is also favorable. There don’t appear to be many obstacles on the way to another big season.
NFL Odds: Kansas City Chiefs Over 11.5 Wins
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