After only winning 10 games since they made the playoffs in 2006, the Kansas City Chiefs sit atop the AFC West with a record of 5-2, but some still believe the Chiefs are not a playoff team. With a 5-2 record the Chiefs have only lost to the Colts and the Texans both who have winning records and both were games on the road. The Chiefs also have two wins that are a little shaky they barely beat the Browns by two points and had to kick an overtime field goal to beat the last in the league Buffalo Bills. So the question is, are the Kansas Chief for real?
The last time the Chiefs made the playoffs was in 2006 when they had a wildcard berth with the record of 9-7. During that 2006 season the Chiefs averaged 20.7 points per game and points when you games right? The next three seasons when the Chiefs didn't make the playoffs they averaged 14.7 points per game in 2007, 18.2 in 2008, and 18.4 in 2009, all under 20 points a game. This year the Chiefs are averaging 23.3 points per game through seven games, where is this new found success coming from?
Charlie Wies, offensive coordinator, may be the guy to thank for the Chiefs success his run first offense has put the Chiefs at number 1 in rush offense or is it the addition of Romeo Crennel at defensive coordinator who has the Chiefs 4th in the league in points allowed. Could the reason for success be Todd Haley who since is Super Bowl appearance as the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals has won 6 of his last 8 games as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. These all may be factors for the Chiefs are having success but I believe the biggest reason for success is the addition of Scott Pioli as general manager. If you do not know the name Scot Pioli he was the Director of Player Personnel for the New England Patriots from 2001-2008 and during his time the Patriots won 3 Super Bowls and he is famous for drafting Tom Brady as the 199th overall pick in the 2000 draft. Scot Pioli has a simple philosophy draft good talent and watch the wins stack up. Since he has been with the Chiefs he has drafted Tryson Jackson DE, Ryan Succop K, Eric Berry FS, Tony Moeaki TE, and Dexter McCluster WR, and all these player start at their position except for Dexter McCluster who is an explosive special teamer. Also Pioli helped bring in Thomas Jones RB who was one of the top running backs in the AFC last year and has already 553 yards on 118 carries and he brought in Casey Wiegmann C who made the pro bowl in 2008. Scot Pioli knows talent when he sees it and that translates on the field.
The Kansas City Chiefs success isn't just a fluke its true talent but it’s not just talent on the field its talent on the sideline and talent in the front office. The defensive and offensive coordinators and general manager have each won a Super Bowl in their position and both coordinators have been the head coach of a different team, Charlie Wies was at the collegiate level. This doesn't even include the talent on the field, Tampa Hali OLB 4th in the league in sacks, Jamaal Charles RB averaging 6.5 yards a carry, and Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers who have a total of 6 turnovers and a touchdown between the two of them. This Kansas City Team is a very real contender this year and with a slum year for the AFC West the Chiefs will most likely come out on top of their division. Teams that have success in the NFL have a complete football team from the field to the front office and that is what the Kansas City Chiefs are a complete football team.
