Chiefs’ Season Win Total Pick
A playoff team the last seasons, will the Kansas City Chiefs take a step back in 2016?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Chiefs’ season win total over/under for this upcoming season is currently sitting at 9.5 (over is -125; under is -105). Oddsmakers also list Kansas City as a 28/1 long shot to win Super Bowl 51, a 12/1 long shot to win the AFC Conference Championship, and have given the Chiefs +220 odds to win the AFC West Division this season.
A Look Back
The Chiefs started the 2015 season by rattling off five-straight losses following an opening-season win over the Texans. But despite their 1-5 record, Andy Reid’s team won 10 consecutive games to close out the regular season and punch a ticket into the playoffs. In the wildcard round, the outstanding KC defense forced Brian Hoyer into five turnovers in route to a 30-0 victory. The Chiefs fell 27-20 to the Patriots in the Divisional round the following weekend, but the season was a success given the team’s awful start, plus the loss of running back Jamaal Charles to a season-ending knee injury.
A Look Ahead
The Chiefs will largely return the same team that they had a year ago, although with some questions on defense. Top pass-rusher Justin Houston will miss all of training camp as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery to his left knee. Saftey Eric Berry also skipped the start of training camp in efforts to reach a long-term deal with the team. If Houston misses a significant portion of the season and Berry’s holdout lasts behind training camp, the Chiefs’ defense will be down two of its key pieces.
Season Win Total Prediction
As previously mentioned, this is a talented squad that is largely returning the same team that got red-hot to close out the 2015 season. Plus, with Charles back, the Chiefs’ offense should be more dangerous than it was during its run. But if Houston misses the first six games because he’s on the PUP list and Berry’s holdout becomes a distraction, the Chiefs will fall short of winning 10 games this season, which is what they’d have to win in order to cash the over. Granted, the Broncos are weaker inside the division, but the Raiders are stronger and the Chiefs have some tough opponents on their schedule (Colts, Panthers and Steelers being the highlights). Kansas City should have a winning season this year at 9-7, but that won’t cash the over.
2016 NFL WIN TOTAL SEASON PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS UNDER 9.5