Top Five Reasons Chiefs Could Win AFC West

I have compiled a list of my Top five reasons why the Chiefs could possibly win the AFC West this upcoming season below. That being said, if enough of these things don't occur, the Chiefs could also tank and have a horrendous season similar to that of their '08 campaign.

1. Matt Cassel must prove he is not a one-year wonder. One thing is for sure about Matt Cassel. He is an intelligent guy who seems to know his football. He says all the right things to the media and seems to be a great guy, but lets see him back it up on the field with his playing ability.

Last year, he threw 21 touchdown passes while completing a solid 63.4% of his pass attempts. This year will present more of a challenge than last year for the former Tom Brady backup, as he will look out on the field and not see the likes of Randy Moss and Wes Welker. It will be important for him to quickly establish a solid connection and rhythm with his young receiving corps.

I believe that this could be the season that we see Cassel really shine. After all, this is HIS team now, not Tom Brady's Patriots. If he can maximize his talents and skills on the field, he will be in great shape and the Chiefs offense will succeed. However, if he struggles, KC could tank. He HAS to come through this year, that is why he is getting paid the big bucks.

2. The Defense needs to thrive in the 3-4 base formation. Everyone saw this Kansas City defense last year, and the endless injuries that occurred and clueless players that lined up on the defensive front for former Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham.

Well, its a new year now, and new coordinator Clancy Pendergrast needs this current Chiefs defense to learn the 3-4, and learn it fast. Newly acquired linebackers Mike Vrabel, Zach Thomas and safety Mike Brown will bring a veteran presence that never existed in the locker room or on the field for the Chiefs last year. Fifth-year linebacker Derrick Johnson needs to step his game if this defense is ever going to be elite.

If first round pick Tyson Jackson and third round pick Alex Magee can make a solid impact, this defense could be very stingy with big Tank Tyler manning the middle and Glen Dorsey coming from the outside. If only one or two of the newly acquired defensive players the Chiefs have gotten this year make an impact, it could be another long year for the guys in the red if none of the incumbents can step it up.

3. Larry Johnson needs to return to his old form. We all know by now what Mr. Johnson is capable of doing on the football field. In 2005 and 2006, LJ amassed back to back 1,700 yard seasons. He was amazing then, and he still can be now.

The question is, will we finally get to see that again this year, or will it be another year of endless off-the-field altercations that plague his season? No one knows for sure at this point. The latest word on the street is that LJ has been really quiet with his mouth and his been working very hard with the team. This has got to be the most positive news that a Chiefs fan could hear after all the past drama and turmoil that Johnson and the organization has endured.

As for his two great seasons in '05 and '06, some argue that they were mainly due to the fact that the Chiefs had one of the best O-Lines ever, which included future Hall-of-Famers Willie Roaf and Will Shields. If Larry shines, the sky is the limit for this guy with all of his talent. If Johnson struggles again, the Chiefs will be a for sure one-dimensional team and that will hurt this young offense.

4. Dwayne Bowe needs to become a more elite reciever. Speaking of pure talent, Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has a lot of it. The guy is an electrifying player and very fun to watch on the fields. He makes the crazy catches that most people wouldn't make and he can break a tackle from just about anyone from almost anywhere on the field.

In his first two years in a KC uniform, Bowe has average around 1,000 yards a season and has scored 12 touchdowns. However, there is one glaring problem with Bowe, that people tend to overlook. He drops the ball WAY too much. Bowe will have to really cut down on his drops this year and in the coming years if he ever wants to be mentioned was one of the better receivers in the league.

He has the potential to be not only one of  the best receivers in Chiefs history, but possibly one of the best receivers in his generation. If Bowe cuts down his drops and raises his game a level, this Chiefs receiving corps will be tough with Mark Bradley and Bobby Engram manning the second and third receiving slots. If Bowe has more balls slip out of his hands, the Chiefs season could slip away as well.

5. The Offensive Line must improve as a whole. I don't even want to think about the Chiefs O-line the last few seasons, it has been that much of a disaster. Many missed blocks, several penalties, and countless times the line was seen getting pushed back and just physically dominated by other opponent's defensive fronts.

Well, this year is a new year, and the Chiefs acquired veteran lineman Mike Goff in the off-season and he projects to be the starter at right guard. That temporarily plugs one hole on the right side of the KC line; however, Damien McIntosh is still seen as the starter at right tackle. This is bad news for Chiefs fans, as McIntosh has performed horribly the past couple seasons and it is almost like creating an invitation to nail Matt Cassel in the back everytime when the Chiefs throw McIntosh out there.

Some hope fifth-round selection Collin Brown from Braymer, Missouri will beat out McIntosh at that spot and eventually become the starter for the Chiefs for many years to come. If Brian Waters can have another Pro-Bowl caliber season and emerging left tackle Branden Albert can continue to improve and either Brown or possibly Barry Richardson can man the right side of the line with Goff, this could be a solid front for KC.

However, if Goff, and Waters start to show their age, and the young Chiefs O-lineman show little improvement, it could be a nightmarish first season for new Head Coach Todd Haley and his offense.

This could be a very interesting and exciting year for the Chiefs. Many people are anxiously waiting to see how a lot of the above players and situation will turn out. With just over two months away from the opening kickoff, these questions will continue to grow louder. Not only do we have the players to worry about, but it will also be the initial test for the newly formed team of Pioli-Haley. These two men have had success every place they've been, lets see if they can do it in KC, and at least start on the right foot. Tune in September 13th for more.