Kansas City Chiefs: 7 Bold Predictions for WR Dwayne Bowe's 2011 Season

In the fourth installment of my individual players predictions for the Chiefs this seasons, I have examined Pro-Bowl receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Earlier, I predicted the seasons for Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles and rookies Jonathan Baldwin and Justin Houston.

Bowe might be one of the hardest players to predict from year-to-year, judging by his up and down four-year NFL career.

Here are my bold predictions for D-Bowe's upcoming '11 season.

Enjoy.

Dwayne Bowe Will Have at Least 1,200 Receiving Yards

Tim Umphrey/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs down field in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

I don't see this as being too much of a stretch for Bowe, considering the fact that he has already eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for receiving yards on two occasions and was just five yards from doing it a third time during his four-year NFL career.

In 2010, Bowe had his best year, as he had 1,162 yards through the air, including five games of 100-plus receiving yards during the season.

D-Bowe should get more opportunities for touches this season, as he will likely have talented rookie wideout Jonathan Baldwin lining up on the opposite side, which should give Bowe more one-on-one opportunities on the outside.

If he can take advantage of this, getting 1,200 receiving yards will be that much easier to obtain for the Chiefs star receiver.

Dwayne Bowe Will Have at Least 12 Receiving TDs

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after scoring a touchdown against Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks to take a 34-17 lead at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Chiefs de

Last season, Bowe proved to the league that he score touchdowns in a variety of different ways.

First the first time in his career, he led the NFL with 15 receiving TDs, including many highlight-reel catches in the end-zone for the Chiefs throughout the year.

He was also one of the main red-zone targets for KC last season, as he and QB Matt Cassel connected many times in that part of the field during the campaign.

Bowe should continue to have more chances to score touchdowns in 2011, with his ability to make tough catches and his knack for picking up yards after the catch.

Dwayne Bowe Will Make Several Spectacular Plays

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a catch for a first down with under six minutes to go against Kelly Jennings #21 of the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington.

Dwayne Bowe has been known for turning in some ridiculous catches and stunning plays throughout his career with the Chiefs.

Last season was no exception, as he had an incredible leaping TD grab against the Jaguars in Week 7, and then had a breath-taking 75-yard catch and run touchdown against Tennessee in Week 16.

Even his first touchdown in his NFL career was sensational: a circus catch where he practically took the ball away from future Hall-of-Fame TE Tony Gonzalez in the back of the end-zone.

I expect many more of these type of plays in 2011.

Dwayne Bowe Will Make at Least One Critical Drop in a Big Game

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 31: Drayton Florence #29 of the Buffalo Bills breaks up a pass intended for Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game on October 31, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

One of the biggest issues that has plagued Bowe throughout his pro career has been his inability to consistently catch passes throughout the season.

He can make some of the toughest receptions that you will see, only to drop an easy catch later in the same game.

The Chiefs have been stung by Bowe's drops in the past, including three against the Colts last season, and one where KC could have had the potential game-winning touchdown.

Although Bowe has improved this area of his game in the last year, he will still have some problems with it in this season.

Dwayne Bowe Will Struggle Against the AFC East

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 20: Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during their NFL game against the Cleveland Browns on December 20, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Browns defeated the Chiefs 41-34. (Photo by Jamie

At times throughout his NFL career, Dwayne Bowe will disappear in games where he is not getting the ball thrown to him.

Last season, this happened against the Broncos, Chargers and Ravens to end the year, where Bowe had just one reception for all three games combined.

In 2011, he will go up against two of the toughest passing defenses in the league in the New York Jets and New England Patriots.

I expect Bowe to have problems with Jets' star corner-back Darrelle Revis and Patriots' emerging star Devin McCourty when both teams battle the Chiefs this season.

Dwayne Bowe Will Form a Bond with Rookie WR Jonathan Baldwin

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches as teammate Dion Lewis #28 fumbles the ball at the goal line against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (

New Chiefs receiver Jonathan Baldwin will be facing the same issues this season that Dwayne Bowe once faced as an NFL rookie back in '11.

Bowe has already hinted that he is going to take Baldwin under his wing and show him the ropes as a rookie wideout in the league.

Bowe has also had a history of getting along with players, so this should only help his relationship with Jon Baldwin.

Since these two will likely be starting many games together for the Chiefs in '11, it will be important that they develop a good relationship with one another.

Dwayne Bowe Will Make the Pro Bowl Again

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs is congratulated by fans as he jumps into the stands after making a 75 yard touchdown catch during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead S

Last season, D-Bowe was selected to his first Pro Bowl team, and it definitely won't be his last.

At just 27-years-old, he is already considered a top-five receiver in this league, with likely many more good years ahead of him.

He and QB Matt Cassel have already formed a solid relationship both on and off the football field, and it showed last year, when they both made the Pro Bowl for their efforts.

Cassel and head coach Todd Haley will help Bowe become a Pro Bowler again in 2011.