Denver Broncos Opponent Preview: Kansas City Chiefs

Our next opponent preview is the AFC West winner last season. The Denver Broncos will do battle with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week’s Eight and 17.

The Denver Broncos reign as AFC West Champions came to a halt after five seasons. The Kansas City Chiefs were able to win the division just a week after eliminating the Broncos from the playoffs last season. Thanks to Denver’s help in Week 17, the Chiefs won the division. It was their first AFC West title since 2010.

But the playoffs still have not been kind to the Chiefs. After obtaining a first round bye in the playoffs, they were beaten by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round.

Despite the playoff failure, the Kansas City Chiefs are still primed to be one of the favorites in the stacked division. But this team is also very difficult to figure out too. Prime example is during the NFL Draft.

The Chiefs traded up with the Buffalo Bills in order to draft Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II. That move confused a lot of fans around the league. But perhaps the Chiefs are preparing for the future without Alex Smith?

And to add on to the confusion, the Chiefs fired General Manager John Dorsey just three weeks ago. All of this after they signed Andy Reid to a contract extension. Makes you wonder what is going on in Kansas City these days.

With that being said, let us see what has been going on in Kansas City this offseason.

2017 NFL Draft

Patrick Mahomes II, quarterback, Texas Tech

Tanoh Kpassagnon, Defensive End, Villanova

Kareem Hunt, Running Back, Toledo

Jehu Chesson, Wide Receiver, Michigan

Ukeme Eligwe, Linebacker, Georgia Southern

Leon McQuay III, Safety, USC

Key Signings: C.J. Spiller, Bennie Logan, Eric Berry, Albert Wilson

Key Departures: Dontari Poe, Jamaal Charles, Nick Foles, Knile Davis

Closing Remarks:

The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs face off twice this season. Their first meeting will be in primetime as they play at Arrowhead on Monday Night Football in Week Eight. It will be the Monday before Halloween. So there could be some mischief on that night.

Their second meeting won’t take place until New Year’s Eve in Denver. It will also be the final game of the 2017 season. At that point, that game could determine how the AFC West shakes up as far as division winner and possible wild card teams.

Next: Predicting Emmanuel Sanders' 2017 Stats

I fully expect both of these teams to battle it out along with Oakland for the division. This could be one of those divisions that is decided in the last week of the season again.

In my opinion, it is difficult to tell how the Kansas City Chiefs will do in 2017. They have a solid offense and a good defense. However, on paper, they could make some noise. I am interested to see if the Chiefs can stay at the top of their game in 2017.