2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Kansas City Chiefs

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Kansas City Chiefs

Schedule | Roster

After finishing the 2012 season tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the NFL's worst record and "earning" the No. 1 overall pick, the Chiefs rebounded brilliantly last season. The hiring of Andy Reid and the addition of quarterback Alex Smith went a long way in turning Kansas City from a laughing stock into a playoff contender.

The Chiefs started the season with nine consecutive wins and were the NFL's last unbeaten team before falling to the Denver Broncos in Week 11. The season began to fall apart from there, as Kansas City lost five of its final seven games and limped into the playoffs.

Despite the poor finish to the season, the Chiefs started out strong in their Wild Card game against the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City jumped out to a 38-10 lead early in the third quarter and had the home fans thinking victory, even with star running back Jamaal Charles hurt on the game's opening drive.

The Chiefs' first playoff victory since the 1993 season was not to be, however. Andrew Luck and the Colts rallied to outscore the Chiefs 35-6 over the game's final 27 minutes and Indianapolis put an end to Kansas City's season with the 45-44 comeback win. 

Preseason Power Ranking - #20

The team's running game could take a step back as the offensive line appears to be an issue. We could see a greater emphasis on the passing attack, which makes sense for an Andy Reid-coached team, and could be necessitated by an inevitable regression from the defense. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: DT Vance Walker, LB Joe Mays

Key Departures: LT Branden Albert, OG Jon Asamoah, OG Geoff Schwartz, DE Tyson Jackson, NT Jerrell Powe, WR/KR Dexter McCluster, CB Brandon Flowers

The Chiefs lost a lot of talent to free agency but didn't dip into the market much to plug the holes in their lineup. Brandon Flowers was released after losing his starting job towards the end of last season, and while the Chiefs may be able to survive his loss without much problem, their offensive line could be in trouble.

Eric Fisher struggled as a rookie at the right side, but with the departure of Branden Albert he'll now be tasked with playing the even more difficult left tackle position. Albert, Geoff Schwartz, and Jon Asamoah combined to play 2,022 snaps last season (per Pro Football Focus) and Kansas City will have to rely on some of its younger talent to step up and make for a consistent offensive line.

2014 Draft Class 

Dee Ford should help to replace the departed Tyson Jackson, and Phillip Gaines has a good chance of being able to step in for Brandon Flowers as the nickelback. De'Anthony Thomas was one of the most dynamic players in college football while at Oregon and his versatility should be a boon to a Chiefs offense that lacked weapons outside of Charles last season.

Thomas also showed game-breaking skills as a kick returner for the Ducks and should be able to take over that role for Kansas City with Dexter McCluster now in Tennessee.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Andy Reid
Offensive Coordinator: Doug Pederson
Defensive Coordinator: Bob Sutton

Reid's arrival last season helped spur the Chiefs' turn around and also led to perhaps the greatest gif ever created. The season may not have ended the way Reid and the rest of Kansas City would have liked, but making the playoffs a year after having the No. 1 overall pick brought plenty of optimism.

Last season the Chiefs were able to catch a lot of teams by surprise, but in 2014 their opponents will be ready for a tough contest. Reid will have to prepare his team for a more difficult season and make sure they forget about the painful end to their 2013 playoffs.

2014 Schedule

The schedule makers didn't show the Chiefs any kindness, as Kansas City has one of the toughest strength of schedules in the league for 2014. The Chiefs will play seven games against playoff teams from last season and will also be in tough during road games in Pittsburgh and Arizona late in the year.

Bold Predictions

The Chiefs will win the AFC West. The Chiefs reached “Cinderella” status in 2013 after opening the season with nine straight victories and advancing to the playoffs for the first time in four years. They face an uphill battle this season with one of the league’s toughest schedules and offensive line issues, but it’s too soon to count them out. Look for Reid to pull a few more tricks out of his sleeves. - Caitlyn Holroyd

Aaron Murray will start at least two games. The Chiefs are an obvious regression candidate, and 5-11 looks more likely than a repeat of the 11-5 record they posted a year ago. Quarterback Alex Smith received a long-term contract extension, but if the team is out of the playoff mix late in the season, it would make sense to give rookie quarterback Murray a look. - David Woods

The Chiefs won’t return to the playoffs. Kansas City stumbled down the stretch last season, losing five of its last seven games as its defense, which had been such a strength earlier in the year, dropped to a 24th ranking. Only one of the Chiefs’ 11 wins in 2013 came against a team with a winning record, so their playoff appearance had more to do with scheduling smoke and mirrors than anything else. - Michael Amato