Chiefs' Path to Playoffs 'Tougher Than Usual'

The Kansas City Chiefs have been at, or near the top of the AFC for the last several years, as they have formed a dynasty with Patrick Mahomes at the helm.

In a recent article by Pro Football Network's Williams Schwartz , he gives one bold prediction for every NFL before the start of the regular season. For the reigning Super Bowl champions, he thinks their path to the playoffs could be a bit more difficult this season.

"Simply put, it’s likely to be a tougher path than usual," Schwartz writes. "With Baltimore set to contend again and teams like the Browns, Jets, and Texans on the rise, the Chiefs won’t be able to play subpar football and still make it to the end this season."

The Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs last season on their way to the Super Bowl, and both of those games were very interesting. The first was one of the coldest games ever, and in the second, the Chiefs did not have to score a single point in the second half to win.

Related: Chiefs' Could Get Off to Rough Start

With that being said, the Chiefs have made some improvements this season. Their wide receiver corps has improved, adding Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, and now JuJu Smith-Schuster. That could lead to their offense being even more potent than it was last season.

Other contenders in the AFC might have made some upgrades, but so have the Chiefs, and they will be looking to use those upgrades to make it bak to the playoffs and win their third straight Super Bowl.