Last Updated on July 29, 2010 12:24 am by Anthony Rome
Chiefs Season Odds
With a full season under their belts, can Matt Cassel and Todd Haley help the Kansas City Chiefs surprise in 2010?
Like most teams this offseason, the Chiefs were quiet this offseason. They did running back Thomas Jones, however, and also signed former Bengals’ defensive tackle Shaun Smith to a free agent deal. Among their losses this offseason were receivers Bobby Engram and Bobby Wade.
The Chiefs were looking to upgrade their offensive line, safety, defensive line and linebacker positions heading into the draft in April. And with five picks in the first three rounds, they were able to address some of those needs.
In the first, KC selected Tennessee safety Eric Berry with the fifth overall pick. Highly regarded as the best defensive back in the draft (if not the best prospect in the draft), Berry should make an impact right away for the young Chiefs’ defense. In Round 2, KC added explosive running back Dexter McCluster of Ole’ Miss and also took cornerback Javier Arenas of Alabama in the same round. In the third, the Chiefs went with two offensive selections in Illinois guard Jon Asamoah and tight end Tony Moeaki of Iowa.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com, the Chiefs are currently 90/1 to win the 2011 Super Bowl and 45/1 to win the AFC. They’re also +750 to win the AFC West and have an over/under win total of 6.5 games this season.
While the Chiefs should be much improved in Cassel and Haley’s first season, they still have a long ways to go. Their offensive line is still extremely young, although Jamaal Charles proved last year that he can be the primary back. Adding veteran in Jones will only help boost the running game as well.
But while there’s no doubt this is a talented team (receiver Dwayne Bowe is do for a breakout year), it’s scattered talent and they probably don’t have enough depth to compete this season – even in a weak AFC West (save for the Chargers, of course). Still, anything could happen in the NFL and new teams surprise every year. Remember that the Cardinals were long-shots in 2008 when they made the Super Bowl.
2011 Super Bowl Odds: Kansas City Chiefs 90/1
Odds to win AFC: Kansas City Chiefs 45/1
Odds to win AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs +750
2010 Season Win Total: Kansas City Chiefs O/U 8
Posted: 7/29/10 12:25AM ET