Photo credit: Steve Sanders/2020 KC Chiefs

 

Chiefs 2020-21 Season Preview

Why the Kansas City Chiefs are set to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.

By Sam Kombrink

On Thursday night the Kansas City Chiefs opened the season at Arrowhead by defeating the Houston Texans by a score of 34-20. It was the first time that these two teams have met since the wildcard round of the playoffs last season when Houston was able to go up 24-0 on the Chiefs, and the Chiefs rallied back to win the game 51-31 and went on to win the Super Bowl. Thursday’s game had a slow start for both the offense and the defense as both teams got adjusted to the game. The Houston Texans game plan was to run the football with newly acquired running back David Johnson, who was traded to Houston from the Arizona Cardinals for all-pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. 

Houston’s defense made it clear at the beginning of the game that they would double cover the top two targets for Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. What Houston forgot to do was prepare for the Chiefs first round draft pick, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who showed the world his dynamic abilities in Andy Reid’s Offense. 

Another player who had a big game was wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was able to beat single coverage and get open while Kelce and Hill were facing a double team. 

The Chiefs defense started off slow trying to stop the Texans’ run game, but then got adjusted by all-pro defensive lineman Chris Jones. 

One player that really caught the eyes of Chiefs fans was rookie defensive back L’Jarius Sneed, who must have impressed the coaches and started at the second cornerback spot. On Thursday night he got picked on by quarterback Deshaun Watson and started to get burned on routes until the second half, where he capitalized on mistakes and was able to come away with an interception late in the game. 

This offseason we were not able to attend Chiefs Training Camp due to the pandemic, but based on what we have seen, moving forward the Chiefs will find that the only team that can beat them is themselves. As the season goes on, I think we will see this team start slow at times, but then improve as the games go on like they did in game one. 

Every sports team, even the best, must make improvements. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs’ weakest link on their defense from week 1 is at the linebacker position, where three players had the lowest graded scores on defense. This was a familiar issue last season, and we should expect the position to improve as the season goes on and to see the younger linebackers getting more playing time. Younger linebackers such as LB Dorian O’Daniel and LB Willie Gay Jr. Gay was the Chiefs second round draft pick in 2020 and has been compared to linebacker Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks, who is arguably the best linebacker in the NFL. 

The bottom line is that the Chiefs are still the best team in the league. I know we would love to see an undefeated season in Kansas City, however I do think they will end up with a record of (14-2). I believe the Chiefs will then win the division, claim the #1 seed, and make another run at a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, Florida. The team I believe will play the Chiefs in the Super Bowl is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Super Bowl Prediction:

• Chiefs 42
• Buccaneers 35

Week 2 Chiefs Prediction @ Los Angeles Charges:

• Chiefs 27
• LA Chargers 17

 

High School Football Scores Weeks 2 & 3

Week 2 scores:

• Rockhurst 24
• Park Hill 3

 

• Pembroke Hill 42
• East 14

 

• Grandview 0
• Park Hill South 42

 

• Center 40
• Marshall 6

Week 3 scores & records:

• (1-2) Rockhurst 17
•         Bentonville 21

 

• (1-2) Grandview 12
•         Platte County 35

 

• (2-1) Center 22 
•         Oak Grove 28

 

• (2-0) Belton 14 
• St. Joe Central 7

 

• (1-1) Ruskin 
• (1-1) Pembroke Hill