As back-to-back Super Bowl champions and with three titles in the last five seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t really competing with teams in the AFC West; they’re in a race against the ghosts of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots dynasty.
Kansas City’s eight consecutive division titles stand alone as the second-longest division title winning streak in NFL history behind only the Patriots record run of 11 division crowns in a row (2009-2019). The Chiefs’ streak predates three-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as it began in the last two seasons of Alex Smith’s run as the Kansas City quarterback in 2016 and 2017, both Pro Bowl campaigns.
Given the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders are starting over with new regimes — in the front office and with on the coaching staff — and the Denver Broncos quarterback room consists of 2024 NFL Draft 12th overall pick quarterback Bo Nix, Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, it’s much more likely than not that the Chiefs run their streak to nine in 2024. They have -250 odds to take home first place in the AFC West once again, according to Caesars Sportsbook, making them the biggest first-place betting odds for any team in any NFL division.
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at four reasons why the Chiefs might, somehow, NOT win the AFC West in 2024, which, to be clear, is highly unlikely since Mahomes has proven he can make up for almost any deficiency Kansas City may have.
Internal reasons the Chiefs may not win the AFC West in 2024
1. TE Travis Kelce’s age begins to show even more and no one else steps in the passing game
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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-afc-west-race-four-potential-reasons-why-the-chiefs-could-be-dethroned-after-8-straight-division-titles/
Author : Garrett Podell
Publish date : 2024-07-12 13:42:22
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