Predicting each AFC West team's record for the 2019 NFL season

#2 Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5

Patrick Mahomes

Yes, I actually have the Chargers finishing two games ahead of the Chiefs in 2019. Why? It's simple. Let's just assume that Tyreek Hill isn't going to be with Kansas City this season (for obvious reasons). Say what you will, but that's a BIG loss, as he one considered by many to be the league's most explosive wideout. Replacing a player of his caliber is going to be extremely difficult.

Patrick Mahomes took the league by storm in 2018, securing both the NFL's MVP and Offensive Player of the Year Awards, after throwing for 5,097 yards and garnering a 50:12 TD:INT ratio last season. No one's questioning Mahomes' stardom, as he has rightfully earned his place to be considered among the league's best QBs. However, can Mahomes have that same kind of production in 2019? It's hard for any QB, even for someone as talented as Mahomes, to have back-to-back MVP seasons.

Remember, there's a strong chance Hill isn't with the team this fall. There's also no Kareem Hunt, either. People forget he was a big part of Kansas City's success early on last season before being released due to a domestic violence incident. But the Chiefs have more problems defensively, as they struggled against even the worst of NFL offenses last season.

Let's face it, that 2018 defense couldn't stop a nosebleed, even if they were handed the paper towels. That's how atrocious this unit was. Despite firing their DC and switching to a 4-3 scheme, Kansas City hasn't done much to address their defensive dilemma this offseason. Safety Tyrann Mathieu can't do it all, and their secondary lacks talent and depth at the cornerback position. For these reasons, I have KC taking a small step backwards in 2019.