2011 NFL Team Preview
Kansas City Chiefs
2010 Record: 10-6
2010 Record ATS (Against the Spread): 9-7
Outlook:
The Chiefs were a pleasant surprise for everyone. They have really built a team and played good football last year. We think it wasn't a fluke or a flash in the pan. They should be fine this year and maybe have a chance to make the playoffs again. They won 5 of their first seven games straight up and covered 5 of the first 6 point spreads. Lines and oddsmakers adjusted and Kansas City then only covered 4 of the last 10 games.
Strengths: Jamal Charles is he life blood of the rushing game and had 1,467 on only 230 rushing attempts. The team players combined to lead the entire NFL in rushing with 2,627 yards and also led the NFL in rushing attempts (556). You take this kind of production and mix that with the fact that they have a very capable QB in Matt Cassel and you have a recipe for success. Matt Cassel threw for 27 touchdowns last season. WR Dwayne Bowe was the league leader in TD receptions with 15. He also had 1.162 yards receiving.
Weaknesses: The Chiefs don't have many weaknesses. They lost LB Mike Vrabel to retirement. The secondary is decent, but with a hole or two sometimes, and the front line is solid. Assuming that the current team stays healthy they should have a winning record and make the playoffs again.
Betting Prognosis: Betting the Chiefs this year will be an art form. The experts all know that the Chiefs should be good this year, so there won't be any early soft lines. If anything try to catch them being "over-favored" against up and coming teams and bet against them. All in all they should cover about half of their games give or take a game or two. You just need to pay attention to matchups and trends to bet for or against them.
When to Bet this Team:
Bet this team if they are a "pick em" and when playing against a team on the decline (ex. Indianapolis).
Key Matchups:
Week 2 at Detroit - Up and coming Detroit should be a good early matchup and will tell you a lot about both teams..
Week 3 at San Diego - If K.C. wins this game then this will be a great year for the Chiefs and expect positive things all season..
Week 5 at Indianapolis - Bet the Chiefs in this game. They should rattle Manning and win this game outright.
