Kansas City Chiefs: Ranking the 5 toughest defenses on the Chiefs’ 2021 schedule

The Kansas City Chiefs look to continue their offensive tear through the NFL.  What defenses on the 2021 schedule could provide the Chiefs with problems?

In case you did not know, the Kansas City Chiefs have a pretty good offense. Long gone are the days of the run-first, hope-for-a-miracle approach. Since head coach Andy Reid took the help in January 2013, the Chiefs have turned into a systematic offense.

In those eight seasons, Kansas City has always placed in the top half of points scored and improved each season in total yards gained.

Add on four straight years of 4,000+ yard, 100.0 QBR performances to prove that this success is not a fluke at all.

Do not label these players as scheme-only players though. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent and surrounded by talent with franchise great tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs’ offense was embarrassed in Super Bowl 55 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Mahomes was poorly protected behind a ragtag offensive line. General manager Brett Veach took immediate action, investing draft and cap capital in the offensive line. The unit is arguably now one of the league’s best after it was recently the Chiefs’ biggest offensive weakness.

While the departure of wide receiver Sammy Watkins leaves a hole, players like Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle need to step up and take Watkins’ reps. Further growth from second-year running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will add another dimension to this already scary Chiefs offense.

Any team can look good running against air or in shells, but what teams on the 2021 schedule look like a problem? What defenses can slow down or neutralize the Chiefs’ offense?