NFL Power Rankings: Kansas City Chiefs Get Biggest Dis from ESPN
If There was a Team Who Got Snubbed, it was the Chiefs
When ESPN released their preseason 2011 NFL Power Rankings, the Kansas City Chiefs were ranked No. 14.
They were the second lowest division champion only to Seattle, but by comparison for 2011, Seahawks haven't improved like the Chiefs.
Despite finishing with an 11-5 record, winning the AFC West for the first time since 2003, and having the game's best ground attack, it apparently wasn't enough to garner any respect.
Even division rival San Diego was ranked in front, and they only finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs.
Other teams ranked in front of them are the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both of which also missed the postseason in 2010.
Then you have the injury stricken Indianapolis Colts, who have a QB in Peyton Manning who's underwent two neck surgeries in his career, and hasn't played in the preseason.
Not to mention all their other injuries, and the skeptical defense they possess.
As for the Chiefs?
Well, although K.C. finished ranked No. 30 in passing, QB Matt Cassel still earned a Pro Bowl selection by throwing for over 3.100 yards, with 27 TDs and only seven picks.
And for this season?
Well, they have boosted the receiving core with slot man Steve Breaston (from the Cardinals), and rookie Jonathan Baldwin (despite attitude problems, still has a lot of talent).
Defensively they may be just as good.
Eric Berry has a year under his belt with Brandon Flowers in the secondary, while LB Derrick Johnson and DL Glenn Dorsey lead the front seven.
Not to mention there's rookie LB Justin Houston from Georgia, and young veteran Andy Studebaker at OLB.
In addition, Dexter McCluster is one of the game's best return men, as is Javier Arenas.
This season the Chiefs are a more all-encompassed franchise, and have no business not winning the AFC West.
Obviously all that remains to be seen, however, for what they accomplished last season, and for how they improved this offseason, Kansas City deserves to be ranked higher than mediocre.
NFL Power Rankings: Kansas City Chiefs Get Biggest Dis from ESPN
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks