Ali explains his picks …
High point: Week 17 vs. Broncos.
After enduring a slog of a season and the tightest AFC West race in years, the Chiefs clinch the division on the penultimate weekend with a win over Denver. Exacting revenge on the Eagles in Week 2 is a close second, though.
Low point: Week 15 vs. Chargers.
Although K.C. claims the West for a 10th consecutive season, the franchise suffers its first .500 or worse showing in the division (3-3) since 2014.
Toughest game to call: Week 11 at Broncos.
Patrick Mahomes rarely drops back-to-back games, and Andy Reid almost never loses after a bye, so why do I have both occurring on the same Sunday afternoon? Because I think Kansas City’s humbling on the biggest stage has diminished its aura of invincibility around the league. The Broncos, for their part, have been chipping away at the Chiefs’ mystique since Sean Payton arrived in 2023, winning both matchups at Mile High (last year’s season finale probably shouldn’t count … but it plays to my narrative, so whatever) and keeping the two contests in K.C. close. So who better (or worse, depending on your perspective) than Denver to deliver another dent in Kansas City’s armor?
FINAL VERDICT
Division finish: Ali: 1st | Rank: 2nd
Will the Chiefs make the playoffs? Yes.
Weeks 2 (Eagles), 4 (Ravens) and 9 (Bills) should be appointment viewing, and all three are toss-ups in my eyes. But as you can probably tell by now, I have high expectations for the entire AFC West, so all of those division games — yes, even the Raiders matchups — should provide plenty of drama. And still … I’m simply too chicken to predict anything less than a 12-win season for K.C., at least not while No. 15 is QB1.