KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win AFC West: 3/1
Odds to Win AFC Championship: 15/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 40/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 8

2012 Preview:
Offense:
Even though new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. are more versed in power blocking, they apparently lured RT Eric Winston from Houston by promising more of a zone scheme. It fits with their personnel and shouldn’t be a major transition. Jamaal Charles is the starter as soon as he proves he’s healthy, and the Chiefs will run a lot of single-back, two-tight end stuff. Peyton Hillis should take at least a third of the reps at tailback and could be closer to a 50/50 split if Charles is slow to recover from his torn ACL. Hillis will see some time at fullback. There will, however, be certain game plans where Dexter McCluster plays more snaps than Hillis. One of Hillis’ big roles will be in the red zone, where he figures to get carries near the goal line.

Under Daboll, things should be opened up a little more for Matt Cassel this year. K.C. will likely spread things out, whether it be with three receivers or two tight ends, and go with more quick throws. Dwayne Bowe remains the No. 1 target while Steve Breaston is more of a catch-and-run guy who could thrive in this offense. He’ll slide to the slot with Jonathan Baldwin playing outside when they go three-wide. Tony Moeaki will likely see his role scaled back slightly with the use of more three-wide sets. Kevin Boss will be used sparingly as a pass catcher, and the backs will be used frequently as check-down options.

Defense:
The Chiefs’ 2011 defense was unspectacular, experiencing a drop in production across the board except for six more interceptions than in 2010. Kansas City does have some upside with a talented and blossoming defensive line and pass-rushing LB Tamba Hali (12 sacks in 2011). LB Derrick Johnson is a solid run-stopper on the inside who didn’t get much of a shot before the arrival of Romeo Crennel, but he’s been excellent in two years since. He was one of four NFL linebackers to reach triple digits in solo tackles in 2011. The most promising development in regards to this defense for 2012 is the fact that young star strong safety Eric Berry’s knee should be 100 percent after he missed essentially all of 2011 once he tore his ACL in the season opener. He’s excellent in pass coverage and able to contribute in run support.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
QB Brady Quinn (from Broncos)
RB Peyton Hillis (from Browns)
TE Kevin Boss (from Raiders)
OT Eric Winston (from Texans)
CB Stanford Routt (from Raiders)
CB Jacques Reeves (last played in 2009)
S Abram Elam (from Cowboys)

SUBTRACTIONS
QB Kyle Orton (Cowboys)
RB Jackie Battle (Chargers)
FB Le’Ron McClain (Chargers)
TE Leonard Pope (Steelers)
OT Barry Richardson (Rams)
LB Demorrio Williams (Chargers)
CB Brandon Carr (Cowboys)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 18.75 (30th toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - Atlanta
Week 2 - at Buffalo
Week 3 - at New Orleans
Week 4 - San Diego
Week 5 - Baltimore
Week 6 - at Tampa Bay
Week 7 - BYE WEEK
Week 8 - Oakland
Week 9 - at San Diego
Week 10 - at Pittsburgh
Week 11 - Cincinnati
Week 12 - Denver
Week 13 - Carolina
Week 14 - at Cleveland
Week 15 - at Oakland
Week 16 - Indianapolis
Week 17 - at Denver

StatFox Take: On paper this is the third-easiest schedule in the league, but nearly half (seven) of the Chiefs’ opponents made the playoffs last year (Falcons, Saints, Ravens, Steelers, Bengals and Broncos twice). Although 65-year-old head coach Romeo Crennel was 2-1 after taking over last year, he’ll have to work some serious magic to post season better than .500 in his first full campaign with the club. Since 2007, Kansas City has won just 27 games (5.4 per year) with only one winning campaign, a 10-6 season two years ago. This offense led by QB Matt Cassel is not good enough to carry K.C. to a winning season.
Prediction: UNDER 8 wins (-105)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders - Wednesday, August 15
San Diego Chargers - Thursday, August 16

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Friday, August 17
New York Giants - Saturday, August 18
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1