Arrowheadlines: The 2005 Chiefs would have benefited from a 14-team playoff

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Expanded NFL playoffs are here: Ranking the best just-missed teams of the past 30 years | ESPN

2. 2005 Kansas City Chiefs (10-6), 24.4% DVOA (5th)

The Dick Vermeil Chiefs had powerful offenses every year, but what made the 2005 edition different was that they also had an above-average defense. Not that far above average, just 14th in defensive DVOA, but certainly better than in previous seasons. The offense ranked fourth in DVOA, with another Pro Bowl campaign from Trent Green and a breakout 21-touchdown season from Larry Johnson despite starting just half the year. The Chiefs also get a DVOA boost from playing the fourth-toughest schedule of the 2005 season.

The Chiefs missed out on the playoffs because the Jaguars were second in the AFC South at 12-4 while the Steelers were second in the AFC North at 11-5. A seventh seed would have meant a rematch with division rivals in Denver (13-3, No. 2 in DVOA). The two teams split their season series in 2005.

The Chiefs can make it back to the Super Bowl if they keep upgrading their defense | SB Nation

After free agency:

Using the franchise tag on Chris Jones was an obvious but smart move to start Kansas City’s offseason. They also brought back Demarcus Robinson, so they’ll return their top four receivers from last season. But other than that, they’ve been mostly inactive, which means their needs remain virtually unchanged. That’s probably by design though, as the draft always made sense as the place to address these needs.

Linebacker: Ragland went elsewhere and Hitchens is still a disappointment, so what the Chiefs really need is a Derrick Johnson-type in the middle of their defense. They need a tackling machine, somebody athletic, and they can get that somebody in the first round.

Cornerback: The cornerback position is an even bigger need after free agency, after the Chiefs neglected to sign anybody at the position, including their own corners, Bashaud Breeland and Morris Claiborne, who remain free agents.

Running back: Once again, this position makes perfect sense to address in the draft. The value of running backs on the open market is a moving target, while the Chiefs can almost assuredly find somebody productive after the first round.

Maurice Jones-Drew NFL mock draft 2.0: Justin Herbert at No. 1! | NFL.com

PICK 32

Clyde Edwards-Helaire - RB

School: LSU | Year: Junior

The most high-powered offense in the league lands a play-making running back who will impact this unit with and without the ball.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Redskins take Tua, Chase Young falls to Giants, Chargers trade up for Herbert | CBS Sports

Round 1 - Pick 32

D’Andre Swift RB

Kansas City There was once a time when Andy Reid had a three-down back he could rely on, and was nearly a guarantee to be a top player in your fantasy league. Well, Andy’s going back to the old days with D’Andre Swift, making an unfair offense a little less fair.

Why You Should Bet on Patrick Mahomes to Win 2020 NFL MVP | SI

What can we expect in 2020?

It’s not difficult to monetarily back Mahomes winning his second MVP award. He plays in perhaps the most dominant offense in the NFL that’s going to throw the ball a ton. He’s the best quarterback in the league and will be surrounded by a ton of weapons once again in 2020, including dynamic wideout Tyreek Hill and superstar tight end Travis Kelce.

The NFL is one of the few leagues in the middle of its normally scheduled offseason. While the world is being asked to self-quarantine amid the coronavirus outbreak, that isn’t forcing Mahomes to lose the drive to repeat. He recently took to Instagram to post that he is far from being satisfied with his first Super Bowl ring, taking part in extreme workout routines.

Revisiting the Chiefs-Rams Trade for Marcus Peters | 12 Up

As for the Chiefs, they got Los Angeles’ 2018 fourth-rounder, which netted them Texas A&M safety Armani Watts. But what did Kansas City do with their newly gained 2019 second-rounder? Why, they drafted Virginia safety Juan Thornhill. The rookie had a tremendous start to his rookie season, recording 58 tackles, five passes defensed, and three interceptions (one for a touchdown) before tearing his ACL in late December.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Escape with Win over Broncos in B/R Madden GOAT Sim | Bleacher Report

Later on the same drive, Terrell Davis converted another 3rd-and-10 for the Broncos with an 11-yard run to set up a 1st-and-goal with less than five minutes remaining.

Buck Buchanan and Derrick Thomas made back-to-back huge plays to push Denver back to the Chiefs’ 14-yard line. Jason Elam made a 31-yard field goal to get the Broncos within four, 14-10, with 2:55 to play in regulation.

Around the NFL

Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin gives No. 12 to Tom Brady | ESPN

“Obviously if he doesn’t want it, or if he’s not making a big deal out of it, I’m definitely going to keep it. We’ll see how that goes,” Godwin said earlier this month in a video interview with the Bucs’ website. “I think just out of respect for what he’s done, what he’s accomplished, just kind of the career he’s built for himself, you have to lean into that respect.”

2020 NFL Draft: Eight trades that teams should make on Day 1 | NFL.com

Chargers trade No. 37 overall (Round 2) to Patriots for No. 23 overall (Round 1)

Former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love is a polarizing prospect in this draft. Some believe he has the same type of potential that made Josh Allen a top-10 pick in 2018, while others believe he’s a developmental prospect who offers value in Round 2. But often teams looking for a future starter at QB will move from the second to first round to beat others to the punch — and get the fifth-year option that is tied to contracts for all first-round picks. Tyrod Taylor can serve as a bridge QB for the Bolts, but Love’s playmaking abilities could push them to give up the 37th pick and a 2021 second-round selection to gain 14 rungs on the draft ladder. The Patriots are always looking to add picks, so if they don’t have interest in Love and do not see any other first-round-caliber players remaining on their board, they’ll likely jump at this deal.

NFL executives planning for season to start on time, with fans in stands | ESPN

In the meantime, however, normal league operations remain largely shut down. Team facilities are closed to all but a handful of essential employees. In-person free-agent and draft visits have been canceled, offseason programs are in question and the league has pushed back its annual schedule release to a point at or near May 9, according to Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s executive vice president/chief media and business officer.

2020 NFL Draft: Ranking each position group in this year’s class | NFL.com

1) Wide receiver

Since 2005, there have been four drafts with six receivers taken in the first round. That number could be matched this year. This is an extraordinary WR class. In fact, former NFL scout and current NFL Network draftnik Daniel Jeremiah has said this is the deepest group of receivers he’s ever evaluated. I don’t doubt it. We could see 12 to 14 receivers go inside the first 70 picks. And the hits will keep coming deep into the draft, as a variety of potential WR3/WR4 prospects with solid upside will still be available in the fifth round.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

NFL playoffs expanding to 14-team field for 2020 season

How it works

Only the No. 1 seed in each conference will receive a bye in the Wild Card round.

The remaining division champions in each conference with the best records will be seeded 2, 3, and 4, followed by the next three teams per conference with the best records seeded 5, 6, and 7.

AFC and NFC Wild Card games will feature the 2 seed hosting the 7 seed, the 3 seed hosting the 6 seed and the 4 seed hosting the 5 seed.

Wild Card Weekend for the 2020 season will consist of three games on Saturday, January 9, and three games on Sunday, January 10. ​

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