AFC West Predictions: San Diego Chargers Lead the Pack

Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)

It would be great to talk optimistically about a fairly easy schedule for the Chiefs, but that is tough to do when they are not favored by more than 40 percent in any game. When a team has to get a little lucky at least once just to get on the board, it is going to be a tough year—talk to the Dolphins.

But, this is part of the plan to go young and develop players this season, in hopes of contending in the near future. The Chiefs average 18.0 points per game (32nd) and allow 29.4 points (32nd) against a schedule featuring five games against 2007 playoff teams.

Absolute Record: 0-16

Most Significant Newcomer: Glenn Dorsey, DT—It is very difficult for a defensive tackle to make a profound impact on a defense in his rookie season. Dorsey will, partly because he has to, and partly because he has NFL-ready athleticism and drive.

The sim likes Dorsey to rack up 28 tackles and five sacks. Other draft picks like Branden Albert, Brandon Flowers, and DaJuan Morgan should get the playing time needed to make a difference on this team as well.

Biggest Strength: Youth—Young players can oftentimes luck into wins before they really know what they are doing in the league. With a roster full of players 26-years old and younger, and 12 newly drafted rookies, Kansas City has plenty of youth. Speed and agility tend to come with youth as well. Kansas City may actually be one of the faster teams in the league, on a position-by-position basis.

Most Exploitable Weakness: Experience—It may be a little too obvious, but that youth is also the same reason that this team is a few years away from a chance at success. Remember when this team had the best offensive line in the league and too many running backs?

Possible Fantasy Sleeper: Tyler Thigpen, QB—Brodie Croyle will be given plenty of opportunity to make this his team, but it may not work. If it doesn't, or if Croyle endures another major injury, Thigpen is next in line. Physically, the Coastal Carolina product is the prototype: 6'3", 220 pounds with great mobility and a big arm. Like the rest of this team, he just lacks experience. He may get his shot this year. We have him starting four games and throwing for 738 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Closest Game: New York Jets (Week Eight)—This is the Chiefs' Miami vs. Baltimore moment. Brodie Croyle to Dwayne Bowe may be better than Cleo Lemon to Greg Camarillo, but that may have to be the difference against a porous Jets' secondary.

Fantasy Notables: Brodie Croyle (27) 2,572 yards, 16 TDs, 12 INTs; Larry Johnson (12) 1,682 total yards, 11 TDs; Dwayne Bowe (16) 72 receptions, 1,102 yards, 7 TDs; Tony Gonzalez (4) 71 receptions, 857 yards, 5 TDs; Billy Cundiff (32) 31/32 XPs, 21/26 FGs

Projected 2008 Results

Click here to view a schedule of 2008 NFL previews, and to see others that have been posted. The AFC East article on BleacherReport can be found here, and the AFC North here.

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