Chiefs' win total set at 12 for 2021-22; Will KC go Over or Under?
The 2020-21 NFL season didn't end quite like the Kansas City Chiefs had hoped, but oddsmakers have big expectations for Andy Reid's squad in the year ahead. The Chiefs are projected to win 12 games in 2021-22, and are favored to be the last team standing at Super Bowl LVI.
Mahomes will have plenty of weapons in 2021-22
The Chiefs were an offensive freight train last season despite a slew of injuries to key contributors like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Sammy Watkins, and Eric Fisher. Fisher and Watkins have since departed, but the Chiefs hope to have able replacements to take their place and keep the offense chugging.
Wide Receiver Demarcus Robinson has been re-signed, and with Edwards-Helaire set to return to complement Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Mecole Hardman, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes should have plenty of weapons at his disposal.
CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFEpic.twitter.com/TL25fYDaj1
— PFF (@PFF) September 11, 2020
Chiefs have big holes to fill on the offensive line
Backup wide receiver Antonio Callaway has also been brought in to compliment the returning talent, but the biggest question for the Chiefs is if they can overcome the loss of offensive linemen Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. Joe Thuney, Kyle Long, and Mike Remmers will need to step up to protect the franchise quarterback.
KC needs a bounceback season from Taco Charlton
On defense, the Chiefs didn’t make a significant amount of moves but three players can make a big impact in the upcoming season. One returning player will be Taco Charlton, who missed the conclusion of 2020, but has the makeup of a solid contributor and pass-rushing threat.
Clutch strip-sack by Taco Charlton 💪 #ChiefsKingdom @TheSupremeTaco
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2020
📺: #NEvsKC on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/9fyGwoYxWA pic.twitter.com/XhilViVd9m
Farther behind him on the defense, cornerback Deandre Baker started just one game for the Chiefs before suffering a broken femur, but he is a first-round talent that has seen poor choices leave him out of favor with much of the league. If Baker can likewise return from injury as an impactful player, he offers the Chiefs a talented piece that can help significantly with a defense that was 12th in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. Finally, former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed will help bolster the interior defensive line with his boundless energy.
The Chiefs are a lock to win 12 games
In four of the last five seasons, and in each of the last three, the Chiefs have won at least 12 games. While the departures of Fisher and Schwartz are certainly cause for concern, this is still a team with the most talented quarterback in the league and a head coach that understands how to use him.
Andy Reid exploits defensive weakness better than most, and has ensured the replacements along the O-line are veteran starters that have been successful elsewhere. The Chiefs are still too far above the rest of the pack on offense to lose six times over the course of a season. Take the Over, and enjoy another standout year from Mahomes & Co.
NFL pick: Over 12 wins
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