The Kansas City Chiefs: Biggest Offseason Moves - 2019 Postseason Odds and Predictions

The odds makers are taking bets on the 2019-20 NFL season already, including who will most likely be winning each of the Conference Championships and Super Bowl LIV and which teams probably will not.

The Kansas City Chiefs are highly favored to go the distance next season, especially if their offseason moves work well to improve their struggling defense and keep second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes safe and target heavy.

So with just three-and-a-half weeks until the 2019 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27, we will be taking a look at some of the NFL teams predicted to be next season’s biggest winners and saddest losers, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs, including the odds and predictions of their 2019-20 postseason.

The 2019 Kansas City Chiefs are:

• Owner: Lamar Hunt and the Hunt Family
• General Manager: Brett Veach (Promoted July 2017)
• Head Coach: Andy Reid (Hired January 2013)
• Offensive Coordinator: Eric Bieniemy (Promoted January 2018)
• Defensive Coordinator: Steve Spagnuolo (Hired January 2019)
• Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes (2^nd year)
• Offensive Stars: Receiver Tyreek Hill, Tight End Travis Kelce
• Defensive Star: Defensive Tackle Chris Jones

How did the Chiefs do in 2018?

The 2018 Kansas City Chiefs and their young quarterback phenom Patrick Mahomes dominated last season, ending up with a 12-4 record as well as winning their third consecutive AFC West title.

Their biggest strength was their exciting high-scoring offense, but their greatest weakness was a defense that couldn’t keep opponents from scoring almost as much as the Chiefs did.

The Chiefs came just one close game shy of getting to the Super Bowl but were stopped by the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game after losing in overtime, 31-37.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won the NFL MVP Award, the first Kansas City player to have ever received that honor after throwing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions all season.

Biggest strategy shift Chiefs will make for 2019?

After a season of suffering a defense that was ranked 31^st against the pass and 27^th against the run, the Chiefs have hired themselves a new defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, who had done the same job for the New York Giants since 2015.

Spagnuolo is converting the Chiefs’ defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3, meaning now there will be four defensive players on the line – two tackles and two ends – with three linebackers behind them and four defensive backs covering the secondary.

This new scheme changes how the Chiefs handle free agency and the draft and is said to be the reason the team traded one of the premiere quarterback sackers in the league, linebacker Dee Ford.

What major players have the Chiefs lost so far this offseason?

Safety Eric Berry, who missed 13 games last season due to a torn Achilles and who was released after nine consecutive seasons in Kansas City.

Linebacker Justin Houston, who the Chiefs released after eight seasons and a 2018 where he had 37 tackles, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception in 12 games.

Linebacker Dee Ford, a quarterback hunter who had 13 sacks last season but who reportedly did not fit into the new 4-3 defensive scheme that the Chiefs will now be implementing (see above).

What have been the Chiefs’ key free agent pick-ups this offseason?

Safety Tyrann Mathieu, who was brought in to help the Chiefs’ move to a 4-3 defense.

Running back Carlos Hyde, who spent his 2018 split between the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville Jaguars and ran for a total of 571 yards and five touchdowns.

Cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who only played in 7 games last season due to having to learn a new playbook in Green Bay as well as suffering a groin injury but still managed to snag 2 interceptions, one for a touchdown.

What are Kansas City’s Biggest Needs?

Offense: A running back who can break tackles and get first downs to fill the gap left after losing Kareem Hunt last season.

Defense: In 2018, the Chiefs’ defense ranked 31^st in the league, so Veach will use free agency and the upcoming draft to pick up pass rushers familiar with the 4-3 scheme to replace Ford and some cornerbacks and safeties who are versatile enough to adjust their coverage between man and zone.

What draft picks do the Chiefs have in 2019?

The Chiefs have 8 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, and they are:

• Round 1: No. 29 overall
• Round 2: Nos. 61, 63 (from Rams)
• Round 3: No. 92
• Round 5: No. 167
• Round 6: Nos. 201, 214
• Round 7: No. 216 (from 49ers)

How have the Chiefs done in the last ten postseasons?

Since the 2009 season, Kansas City has been to the postseason six times.

In three of those appearances, the Chiefs lost in the Wild Card Playoffs (2010, 2013 and 2017), in two of them they lost in the Divisional Playoffs (2015 and 2016) and in one, last season (2018) they lost in the AFC Championship.

The Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl twice, Super Bowl I in 1966, which they lost to the Green Bay Packers 10-35, and Super Bowl IV in 1969 in which they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.

How are the Chiefs predicted to do during the 2019-20 season?

They’re expected to win it all, including Super Bowl LIV, at least according to the current odds.

Of course, that will depend first on Patrick Mahomes’ star-studded offense to continuing to dominate the league, last year averaging 35.3 points and 425.6 yards per game, both ranked first in the NFL.

And it will depend secondly on how well Veach uses the rest of free agency and the draft to beef up new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s squad, who has to do better than allow opponents to gain 405.5 yards per game like they did in 2018.

Will the Chiefs be playing out of the country next season?

Yes, they’ll be taking part in what is called the NFL International Series.

The Chiefs will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca with the time and date to be announced with the release of the 2019 regular season schedule.

Last season in November, the Chiefs were scheduled to play the Los Angeles Rams at the same location but at the last minute, the game had to be moved to Los Angeles because of the unacceptable conditions of the field.

The players’ union was worried that the players would get injured on the stadium’s torn-up, hybrid turf-grass field that had just been installed during the prior summer.

What are the current postseason odds and predictions for the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs?

The oddsmakers are favoring the Kansas City Chiefs to win it all next year.

They are the favorites to win the Super Bowl despite being the second favorite to win the AFC Championship, which means that if they can get past the New England Patriots, then they become the team to beat against any NFC challengers.

These odds are what is listed right now, but be advised that they change constantly and will most likely fluctuate a lot after the upcoming NFL draft, so if you like what you see, grab it now or it could change for the worse.

For those feeling lucky, here are the current odds for the Chiefs’ postseason in 2019-20.

Bettors residing in New Jersey can wager at the 888Sport sportsbook.

Good luck!

Kansas City Chiefs Postseason Odds