Final Pre-Preseason Thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs (Plus Week One Preseason Game Prediction)
It was easy to miss, but if you were paying attention during the first half of the Green Bay Packers- San Diego Chargers contest, you heard Jon Gruden say something very interesting. After both starting quarterbacks were benched for their respective backups, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was interviewed on the sidelines. When asked what makes the AFC West tougher this year, Rivers answered by saying that a lot of things came into play. He said that every team had improved their rosters (yes, he gave props to even you, Oakland Raiders) and that it would be a four-team contest for the division title. Of course, with the four-letter network being who they have become, they kept digging and digging trying to get Rivers to talk about Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Finally, when they had to practically force it out of him, Rivers finally talked a little about Manning in Denver.
After the interview, and the overwhelming PDA for Manning, was over, Gruden said something that made me feel pretty good. He could have easily gone the route of the four-letter network by making the AFC West seem like only a two-team race, but to my pleasant surprise, Gruden said “don’t sleep on the Kansas City Chiefs” and to “watch out” if Tony Moeaki, Eric Berry, and Jamaal Charles come back fully healthy. Sure, that’s what anybody not closely following the Chiefs will say when asked about Kansas City’s prospects for the 2012 season. But understand, that the Chiefs don’t usually get a lot of national love (especially from Gruden, who seems unnaturally obsessed with Rivers). I fully expect the love affair with Manning and New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow to continue. However, if the Chiefs meet expectations under head coach Romeo Crennel, and they likely are feeling considerable pressure to do so (whether they want to admit it or not), I have a feeling Manning’s Broncos won’t be the AFC West story everyone will want to see.
Also, before I close, I would like to give my prediction for the Arizona Cardinals-Chiefs game tonight. This is sort of a fool’s game since it is the preseason and all, but let’s give it a try, anyway. When comparing starters to starters and backups to backups, I’ll take the Chiefs over the Cardinals, 24-13. I think the Chiefs are considerably more talented than the Cardinals and this is one game, if played during the regular season, I would not worry about as a fan. Sure, anyone can win any given Sunday, but if we’re just talking predictions, that’s where I’ve got to go for the time being.
I’m David Abeyta and that’s my opinion.
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