Kansas City Chiefs escape doubt on latest list from ESPN

KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: A Kansas City Chiefs fan cheers during the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MP - JANUARY 15: A Kansas City Chiefs fan cheers during the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Chiefs fans are usually very familiar with being doubted by national pundits. This time, however, the Chiefs have escaped doubt from ESPN writer Bill Barnwell’s latest list.

Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs know very well that the team constantly is doubted by others. Some of it can ring true, as the Chiefs have not been very successful in past postseasons, but some of the doubt gets extreme. With a new starting quarterback in the works and plenty of offensive weapons, the Chiefs are looking towards another great season of football.

Apparently, Bill Burnwell of ESPN is expecting the same. Burnwell released an article that grades every NFL team by likeliest to improve and to decline. The Chiefs miss the entire list, but guess who does not? The Oakland Raiders appeared as one of the teams most likely to decline this season.

As a Chiefs fan, this is shocking. The AFC West last year was a battle between the Chiefs and the Raiders until Derek Carr suffered an unfortunate injury. The Chiefs would cap off the season by winning the AFC West and the Raiders would lose in their first postseason game (though so did the Chiefs).

According to Burnwell, however, he sees the Chiefs pretty much having a season consistent with the last one. He does not have them improving or declining, which is close to my thoughts on next season. With Alex Smith playing in his infamous contract year, the Chiefs may be pushed further by their pressured starting quarterback.

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If not, they are completely capable of doing the same as last year. That pretty much sums up why the Chiefs are not on this list.

My best take on this list is neither positive nor negative. I think the Kansas City Chiefs have a good chance to improve next season due to Alex Smith’s contract year, but I can see the reasoning behind them performing the same.

Not much has changed for the Chiefs following last season. The major improvements are coming next season with new quarterback play.

With this new ESPN list, the Chiefs are neither doubted or lauded for their next season play. There are chances for the Chiefs to capitalize on next season compared to last, yet not much has changed.

What do you think Chiefs fans?