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Kansas City Chiefs Have the Talent to Go the Distance

By Leigh Oleszczak

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After going 11-5 in 2015, the Kansas City Chiefs are ready to build on their success from a season ago. They certainly have the talent to make it far this year.

Heading into the 2015 season, I predicted that the Kansas City Chiefs would go 12-4, which would have been good enough to win the AFC West. I didn’t delve into my postseason predictions in that particular post, but I did mention that I saw the playoff streak ending in 2015. I was right about that!

The 2016 season is going to be another offseason of me hyping up the boys in red (is that a thing? The boys in red? Let’s make it one) because I love the way this roster looks heading into training camp and the offseason activities.

Aside from keeping Sean Smith in a Chiefs uniform, the organization did a great job at keeping its core group together. They re-signed Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, and to my surprise, Jaye Howard. Keeping Howard in Kansas City was huge for a team that depends a lot on its defensive linemen to change the direction of games.

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Kansas City also brought in Mitchell Schwartz, an offensive tackle who spent the previous four years of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns. Schwartz will be a key addition along the offensive line, due to his four years in the league, and his ability to guard Von Miller.

With the offensive line improved and the defense looking just as strong (though the secondary could be a weakness, we’ll see), all that’s left are the “playmakers” on offense.

Jamaal Charles is returning from his second ACL injury this year and hopefully will prove to be the same dominant running back he’s been since joining the Chiefs in 2008.

If Charles isn’t good to go, however, KC signed Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West to extensions this past offseason and they can carry the load if need be. The Chiefs should have one of the scariest backfields in all of the NFL.

Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce will be the two main guys catching the football and both should continue their tremendous play. Maclin had a great first year in Kansas City, catching 87 passes for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kelce has ten total touchdowns during his two full seasons in a Chiefs jersey and is becoming a rising star in the league.

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Finally, we have the quarterback position… Alex Smith.

Some Chiefs fans are down on Smith because he can’t sling the football like some of the elite quarterbacks can, but Smith is a smart guy. He protects the football and can do a lot of damage with his legs.

If Smith continues to trust his instincts, he has the ability to lead this Chiefs team to one of their best seasons in franchise history.

I have high hopes for the Kansas City Chiefs this season, but it won’t be easy. The Denver Broncos are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and the Oakland Raiders could be a team on the rise. Also, the San Diego Chargers weren’t good last year, but they typically play the Chiefs tough and they do have one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league.

Next: Jamaal Charles' Top Ten Games

If all the pieces come together correctly, the Kansas City Chiefs should be able to go AT LEAST 12-4, win the AFC West, earn a first-round bye, and win multiple playoff games in 2016.

What do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Do the KC Chiefs have what it takes to go the distance this year?

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