AFC West 2015 Predictions

Kansas City Chiefs

Sep 3, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks on as his team plays against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

2015 Record: 11-5 (3-3 in division)

Alex Smith is just what Kansas City needed — I’ll say that much.

If the Chiefs were going to have a chance in the near or immediate future to be a playoff threat, it’s with him running the show.

With the way things went for Smith in San Francisco, it was a pretty ugly exit to say the least.

No one likes to get shot down while they’re wounded and the fact that Smith never really got a chance to come back from injury and prove that he could play was not pretty to watch.

My take on the AFC West as a whole this coming season is an optimistic one.

The Oakland Raiders are improving noticeably, the Denver Broncos could very well be on the decline as a team, and the Chargers of San Diego are still stuck in what-if ville.

As for Kansas City, the road couldn’t look more like a golden opportunity.

Other than steady quarterback play, I would have to say that the running game will determine where the Chiefs end up at the end of the day.

Remember, this is a team without a single receiver touchdown in all of last season — that needs to change if they expect their end result to change.

But those are fair expectations, considering they come with the territory.

Next: Scott Keesee - Oakland Raiders