Kansas City Chiefs: Bold Predictions for 2019 Season
By Gage Stagner
The Kansas City Chiefs begin their 2019 season on Sunday when they head to Jacksonville for a date with the Jaguars. What are some bold predictions for the 2019 season?
When check down Alex Smith was traded to Washington to kick off the 2018 offseason, Kansas City Chiefs fans were torn. Smith had brought many wins to the franchise and, at the very least, consistency.
Not even the biggest Patrick Mahomes believer could have imagined 50 passing touchdowns in his first season succeeding Smith. Now he goes by “Showtime” and is the no-look passer for the most highly anticipated Chiefs team in recent memory.
Brett Veach has assembled a team with unfathomable offensive capabilities dominated by speed. He has also rebuilt a dreadful defense into a unit that has the talent to be much better than last year’s.
What are the limits for this Chiefs team and will they fulfill the sky-high expectation that Kansas City has burdened them with? Here are five bold predictions for the upcoming season.
BOLD PREDICTION #1
SAMMY WATKINS WILL REMIND FANS WHY HE GOT PAID
Sammy Watkins is notoriously made of glass. He has played all 16 games just once in his career, the stat heard ’round the world. He has had injury after injury and everyone knows he doesn’t lack for talent.
His best year as a pro, in his second year with Buffalo, Watkins played in 13 games and surpassed the 1,000 yard threshold to go along with nine touchdowns. Say he misses three games this year with pop-up sprained ankles here and there, give or take a few. There is no reason why he can’t repeat his 2014 season statistically.
The Bills quarterbacks that year were a combination of E.J. Manuel and Kyle Orton. Yes, Watkins is going to be the third option when healthy, but there is plenty to go around for everyone in an offense that could be historically good once again.
If Watkins can stay relatively healthy, the offense can reach it’s potential and possibly more. We could see our first 1,000 yard season from three different pass-catchers in 2019. Taking into consideration target share and his usual bad luck, Watkins will finish with around 850 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, justifying his 3-year, 48 million-dollar contract last offseason and takes the Chiefs offense to new heights.