4 Reasons You Should Still Be Watching the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs entered their Monday Night Football matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight with a 1-7 record and as arguably the NFL's worst team.

The Chiefs came into the 2012 season with hopes of taking back the AFC West crown from the Denver Broncos. Not only has Peyton Manning led their division rival to a 6-3 start, but also Kansas City has done nothing in the way of proving they can keep up.

While this season is all but lost, there are still a few reasons to continue watching the Chiefs this season.

Jamaal Charles' Big-Game Ability

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is one of the more explosive players in the entire NFL.

Coming back from an ACL injury this season, Charles is doing a fine job of returning to form. Entering play on Monday night, the back has tallied 634 yards and two touchdowns on 132 carries—including a 91-yard jaunt against the New Orleans Saints back in Week 3.

Though the Chiefs have used their star running back sparingly recently—only 123 total yards on 37 touches in his last three games—Charles' ability to rip off a huge run should keep fans engaged all season long.

Tamba Hali and Justin Houston Grow as Premier Pass-Rushing Tandem

Kansas City Chiefs' outside linebacker Tamba Hali has been the team's only consistent pass-rusher since Jared Allen was traded away prior to the 2008 season—that is until fellow linebacker Justin Houston emerged toward the end of the last season.

With 11 sacks between the two, Hali and Houston form one of the league's most formidable pass-rushing tandems.  

As the season progresses and they learn how to play off each other more, Hali and Houston could begin to rekindle memories of another famous quarterback-sacking-duo in Kansas City: Derrick Thomas and Neil Smith.

Entertaining Games Remaining on the Schedule

When the 2012 season began, the Kansas City Chiefs had a few games that fans had circled on the calendar. Either division games, opportunities for revenge, games against former players or coaches or wanting to see certain players, their schedule had it all.

The Chiefs only have seven games remaining after Monday night's game with the Pittsburgh Steelers and former head coach Todd Haley. However, there are still a few that hold some of that luster previously mentioned.

Kansas City still has two games with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos and a road game at Oakland against the Raiders to finish out their AFC West requirements.

The sophomore tandem of quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green come to Kansas City next week. Another sophomore sensation in quarterback Cam Newton makes his first appearance in Arrowhead Stadium in Week 13.

For the Chiefs' final home game in Week 16, rookie Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts will look to further build on their successful season. 

The Chase for the Top Pick in the Draft

The 1-7 Kansas City Chiefs are in hot pursuit of the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL draft. With his season all but over, this may be one of the only thing fans have to look to forward to.

While it feels strange to root for your favorite to lose, winning could reinvigorate a false hope from Chiefs' brass and cause the organization to continue accepting the mediocrity that has been prevalent since the turn of the century.

This year's quarterback class is far less attractive than last year's that featured Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. However, the Chiefs must address their issue under center, regardless of where they pick this year.

Having the top pick guarantees they get their guy.

Follow Jeremy on Twitter @KCPopFlyBoy or contact him at  [e-mail].