Predictions for the 2026 Chiefs Season!

0:00football is back and this is believed your home for NFL and college football news and analysis all season long. Now let's start the show. That's right. It's time for the red gold and bold Jeff Gidea, Sam McTowell, Seren Petro with you as we will talk about this Kansas City chief's team. Making our predictions what's going to happen in this season. First we'll get into trace with coming up back. What's that going to mean for the team? Then we'll talk about our offensive and defensive player of the year. Biggest surprise in disappointment. The final record. How will the playoffs wrap up for this team? And then of course our bold and daring predictions. We've never missed. It's amazing. They're bold and daring and we've never been wrong. I think that's the most amazing part about it. Stay tuned. It's coming up right now. Here on the red gold and bold. The red gold and bold is hosted by

1:00Jeff Gidea, Sam McTowell and Seren Petro. Jeff Gidea is a senior columnist and on air personality for the NFL network and NFL.com. Sam McTowell is a columnist for the Kansas City star. Seren Petro is the afternoon drive host of the program on sports radio 810WHB in Kansas City. The red gold and bold is hosted by Jeff Gidea Sam McTowell and Seren Petro. Jeff Gidea is the president of the Kansas City. The red gold and bold podcast is proudly brought to you by GAN Asphalt and Concrete. Kansas City's nationally recognized full service, paving and pavement maintenance contractor, making parking lot problems disappear in Kansas City since 1994. Three consultations, no commissions, in House crews and every project comes with a written warranty. Find them online at GANAsphalt.com or 38. GANAsphalt and Concrete, one contractor, all things parking lot. Now here are the hosts of

2:02the best chiefs podcast, Jeff Gidea, Sam McTowell and Seren Petro. Thank you very much Curtis. We do appreciate it often running here on the red gold and bold again if you want to go to the red gold and get your own free podcast. We come at you live Friday's 10 am Central Tuesday nights. It's 9 30 pm Central. Make your, you know put it on your counter. Be ready for it. Right? Make a set an alarm for God's sake people. Be a part of the broadcasts and number of people already in the chat room chatting away guys. Let's start with some of the news of the day. Tracement this back. Sam will start with you. You were talking about the team. You know, the team is not. You asked him about, you know, being away from the team. A lot of people have taken some of his comments and run a long way down the

3:02field. Let's just start with, you know, the fact that he is back and what it means for the team and what you thought chatting with him as to where he's at the health wise. Yeah, I mean, the chiefs need their office of law and to be healthy. I mean, the chiefs could tell you that they need the office of law and to be healthy and Tracement is mistimed during camp. Josh Simmons is obviously on week three now of being out with his back issue. So look, I mean, just for full context, I just asked Tracement about you know, because I was told they basically had to tell him like, we need to back off here and just ask him about, you know, not wanting to come off the field and wanting to stay out there. It's just gone too far with saying that he's talking about Josh Simmons. Tracement is talking about Tracement. And like what is the logic and believing that Tracement is just waiting on my question three minutes into a press conference to unload on Josh Simmons? I just, I don't understand the logic of that.

4:02If you want to contrast the two players, that's fine. Like if you want to say that that Tracement plays through stuff that you believe Josh Simmons should be playing through, that's up to you to say. But to say that Tracement is talking about Josh Simmons, it's an accurate. And like I said, I think it's a logical too. Yeah, that is where people have gone with it. Some people saying, well, he's calling out Josh Simmons because of that Tracement. Tracement is one of the most team oriented guys on a ground. He is not like the last thing he's going to do is go use the meet link. If Tracement wanted to say something to Josh Simmons, you know what he's doing? He's going to say, you know, he's going to do he'd walk seven feet in the locker room and stay in front of the man and say something to him. Like this is not. I'm always amazed Jeff at how the sniveling bullshit way that people go about doing their business in the real world. They think everybody goes about doing their things like most of these

5:02guys and I can tell you Tracement is man enough that he has something he wants to say to somebody he's going to walk up and say it to him. But generally speaking, that's not how he operates. He has done everything that you would want. There's a reason why they gave that much money to a guard because they know they don't have to worry about him. He is the opposite of Rashi Rice. He is, you know, you have to live with some of the Rashi Rices, right? You got to have talent. But he if he was going to do something like that, he would just walk across, you know, and just a couple of locker stalls down and say, hey, Josh, what's going on, man? You got to push through this. He would never go into the media and say, I'm going to conduct our private business right out here. No, anybody knows anything about football would tell you that it is offensive lineman of the most, you know, the most bonded group unit on any football team. And so they like to take care of each other. They look out for each other. And whatever is going on with Josh and whatever went on with him last year, whatever's happening with his back this year. There's a certain level of protectiveness

6:02they're going to share with him or have for him. And so I totally agree with you. I don't know why people would go there. I said, I do know why because people are frustrated with Josh Simmons. And they want people to take him to task. And so that's where you get this, this, you know, this vitriol about what Trace Smith is saying because, yeah, people are looking for a way to come at him and try to get him back on the field, try to make sure he's there. I know people have talked about how catastrophic this season will be if he's not playing. We know the pressure that was on him when he came into this franchise as far as being the solution to them winning championships again. So there's a lot of expectations around Josh Simmons. And yes, he has not been duped to those just yet. But I find it hard to believe too that Trace Smith would be the one to try to with them in the shape in the press conference. Yeah, I just, I get it for whatever reason. I think a lot of people want to view the players or want to view an organization as, you know, somebody that needs to be taken to task all the time. Like, you know, like that they went out and said, you know what we're going to do?

7:02We could win. We could win all of them. We could win a championship. But let's crap in our bed here for part of the year just to see if we can irritate some people. Let's, let's sit some guys or let's, you know, let's be phony about some things. Just just just to get a rise out of the fans. And then when it's, you know, week seven, we'll flip a switch and we'll, we'll go try to get things done. Like just think through a little bit of what you're saying. Like there were people questioning, in fact, some of the same people. We're questioning, Josh Simmons getting a second opinion. Right? Like, oh my God, the chief's like, he's so hurt and he's got to go see somebody else. And then now he's not hurt. Like, well, what is it? Is he hurt enough that he's going to get a second opinion? Which is something, by the way, every player does nowadays. Like it happens all the time. And every time it happens, there's this like, oh my God, they're getting a second opinion. They're not taking the teams. Everybody gets a second opinion. Went to where was the Seattle, I think, or well, I can't remember who, what doctor he went to see.

8:04But anyway, that was the big outrage. And so now the outrage is that somehow he's not hurt. And he's just sitting on the beach. Like it's a little mesmerizing how, how it's swung 180 degrees all in like a week and a half. Yeah. And I also think, you know, there's some, there's some hypocrisy and complaining that Josh Simmons was taking snaps with the third team and which he was for, you know, a couple days before this injury happened. And then also saying he doesn't want to play football. Well, those two things don't, don't drive together either. So, look, but the flip side of this is, yes, Josh Simmons has not been available for the cheese. He has missed nine games. He has missed the last three weeks of practice. He did miss time in his senior year. And those are four different reasons. You can attribute to everything I just said. I understand the frustration with what Josh Simmons is not being available. I understand the fan frustration with what Josh Simmons is not being available.

9:04But again, to say that that, to apply your frustration to what Trace Smith said. Like, why wasn't Trace Smith talking about luxurious need or months were delaying or Ash and July? Or anyone else who had just time. And this is the way that I really would prefer people think of it. If Josh Simmons had come back first, because you know, who else has missed time this camp has been Trace Smith. If Josh Simmons had come back first, and he had said something like that, would we just assume he's talking about Trace Smith? Yeah. And I think to your point, Sam earlier, you know, Ben said, this is not revision history. I said it then. It's why they should have drafted an offensive tackle and run again. I like Simmons, but he's unreliable and you have to protect 15. Absolutely. That is a reason to consider taking an offensive tackle is that. And it's one of the reasons why Josh Simmons was available at 32, right? Because there was an unreliability about him. He was a hurt player. You were taking a man who was not healthy. You were taking talent and an injury that some guys don't come back from.

10:06So yes, that's all a reason why I think it speaks to, you know, getting offensive tackles is hard. And it's why the chief took this risk. But they knew there'd be bumps in the road as they went along. They've decided it's worth the risk. That's that's what they've decided. You know, you they decided it was worth the risk. Rashi Rice had red flags at SMU. They decided the talent was worth the risk. Right? And that's what you do. You risk reward. You figure out the balance and you go from there. I mean, that's the way it is. And if Josh Simmons comes back, if he plays against the Never Broncos and plays every game, we'll never think about this again. Right? And the people who are saying that Trace Smith is calling him out, we'll just it'll just go off into the Twitter sphere. And it won. I mean, maybe awful announcing. We'll bring it back five years from now and be like, oh, how about this one? Josh Simmons just played in his 142nd consecutive game. If that would happen, somebody might dig that up. But in the meantime, it'll just fade away. And people will be happy. Josh Simmons is playing ball. But they need them. They do need them.

11:06I mean, they do need them. Look at their tackle situation without them. And Jeff, I'll let you continue on that point. But yeah, I mean, there's no. You know, in most influential players list, Josh Simmons was number one on my list behind my home. We, because we cut my homes out of it. Josh Simmons was number one on my list. Like his presence greatly will dictate how much success they have this year. Yeah. And the point I was going to make about him and just the offensive line in general is just that. I think the biggest problem Josh Simmons has as far as perception is just there's so much unexplained about him. We still don't know what happened last year. If he had just said he had whatever had a knee injury in his out four games last season, I think what's happening now would not be nearly what it is. But because he disappeared, because he obviously was supposed to be the greatest thing ever when he showed up and they answered everything with the if you just get that knee right. There's just a heightened sense around him. And I just, I don't know the guy. I just watched him from afar and seen how he is. He certainly has a very sensitive nature to him. You can pick up on the I'm sure he's hearing and feeling all this stuff. And so I imagine you have to wonder like where is his head going to be at when he is finally playing.

12:09How much pressure is he putting on himself? And again, go back to the trace misituation. I think the players around him know that. And so I'm sure they want him to be at his best. And there's no reason to agitate him or irritate him even more. This offensive line given Patrick the home situation and condition is critical to this team's success. It's always critical, but even more so this year. Yeah, you work with these guys, right? You go through the physical grind that they go through. It isn't just popping into the office, drinking some coffee, BS and with the fellas. And then sitting down in your cubicle and pounding the keyboard for a little bit. There is a physical nature and there is a growing nature to what they do. And they're in it together. I mean, they spent a lot of time together. There's not there's not the infighting that people want. People Jeff, you put a great, they want him to play. Fans want him to play. The cheese want him to play. You know, they're like Josh Simmons wants to play. Like, you know, is there a frustration level? That was the term that was used. Yeah, everyone's frustrated because everybody wants to be out there all the time. So all injuries are frustrating.

13:10Astgen Gelati's injury is frustrating to him and everybody around him, right? But the idea that like, you know, we're going to make an example of Josh Simmons out here. But you know, that's not really how it works. Sorry, let's get to our predictions. We do this every year. We've never missed. So go ahead and write it down as we look back on it. I think perfection is really what we're looking for. What we're looking for here. Let's start with the offensive player of the year, Jeff. Where are you going to go? This can't be Patrick Holmes. We exclude Patrick Holmes because that would be too much of a layup. Where are you going with the offensive player of the year? Well, this is a layup too. I think it's the only option. It's kind of walker than third. And because one, I don't trust anybody else who's catching the football to be in that. And running for that right now. And I'm not putting offensive lineman in that situation. So kind of walking up there. Was brought here in the off season to be a bell cow back. You know, he's suble MVP.

14:10He's bringing the quickness, the electricity, the explosion, the big playability. That was lacking from this run game. And they're from what I've seen in the preseason. They're going to adjust the offense to give him put him in situations where he can run the football comfortably. And so I've told people that if he's not up around 1600 1700 yards to a law offense. And something went wrong because this, this is supposed to be Eric Bannemi back for this reason. Patrick Mahomes under center more for this reason. I think it's a no brainer kind of walker. All right. Sam, you agree, Kenneth Walker? Yeah, I've got Walker as well. I do think that this answer could be different by years. And if Josh Simmons plays 17 games, I think he could actually be the answer to this. Yeah. I'm not picking him because I don't have the confidence he's going to play 17 games this year. But I'll put it this way with Kenneth Walker because Jeff obviously occupied most of the right argument there. But I'd add this on onto it, which is if he's not, I think the cheesers are in trouble. Yeah.

15:10Because they spent their off season trying to make the quarterback's job easier by establishing a run game. And so like he needs to be the chiefs offensive player of the year. And when was the last time we said that a running back needed to be the chiefs offensive player of the year? Yeah, I think that, you know, you hit upon it because it, to me, I was like, man, if he doesn't win it. You know, to answer your question, if he doesn't, I guess the only way it would be a positive is if Froschy writes somehow has 1700 yards and 16 touchdowns. There's a few words. Are Josh Simmons is healthy? Josh Simmons is healthy and emerges and becomes a dominant offensive tackle and, you know, hits this out of the park. You know, I guess, but realistically speaking, this has to be the answer. I've got Kenneth Walker as well. He needs to play. He needs to play at a high level. And if he doesn't win it, like I said, I just gave you this scenario that I don't think any of us believe is going to happen. That would be the only way that you can be like, okay, this is okay.

16:11It's okay that he didn't win it because he had a really good season. But this guy had a great season. I don't think any of us are thinking that. And by the way, Steven asked the question, who do we, who do we have in 25? Do you guys want me to share? I think he's saying what, what is the actual answer to that question last year? Yeah. Well, I will share with you real quick. Our answers were Xavier Worthy and Rashi Rice. Anyone want to put their hand in the air and take credit for picking Xavier Worthy? I know one of me wasn't. It was you. It was. You took Xavier Worthy. But likewise, I'm not exactly excited to put my hand in the air and go Rashi Rice. Because he didn't get it down to that's part of the reason why this team stunk to Sam's, Sam's point is that nobody stepped up as an offensive player really around Patrick Ballms. But I'm sorry, Sam. I interrupted you. Well, I was just going to say like, who is the answer to this question? It was also a difficult one. I think, you know, Creed Humphrey's the best at his position. But plays a non-premium position. But their premium positions didn't do enough for, to make the argument.

17:14And look, Kingsley Sumat, Sumatia had a great year. But I think you'd probably pluck him down this list on another category we'll get to. Yeah. Okay. All right. Listen, we got a lot more to get to defensive player of the year. Surprise disappointment. We're going to get to all of those. We'll do it after you hear from our friends at GNS Valkencree. You're parking lots says a lot about your business. Cracks, potholes, faded striping, and damaged concrete can create safety concerns and leave the wrong impression with customers. GNS Valkencree helps Kansas City businesses protect their properties with asphalt paving. Seal coating, crack filling, parking lot striping, concrete work, and repairs. Their experience crews deliver quality workmanship and dependable service on every project. Whether you need routine maintenance or a complete parking lot overall, GAN is ready to help you. Get started today with a free estimate at GANASVALD.COM. GANASVALD.COM, one contractor, all things parking lots. Italian delight was the first restaurant to bring true New York style pizza to Kansas City almost 50 years ago.

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19:17Last year, I did not. Where are you going this year with the defensive player of the year, Jeff? I went with your guy last year. Chris Jones. And I was, you know, part of this, this is, it was a harder task on defense just because there's so many new faces. And I went with Chris Jones just because I think he has more help. I think we'll have more opportunities to make plays in me and more disruptive players than he was last year. And I don't know if he's going to be a double-digit side guy, but I feel like, am I going to bet on our Mason Thomas? Am I going to bet on Peter Woods or Mansour Delaigne? Just players who may not put up the kind of production. So I feel like for Jones going to have the most splash plays amongst that group. And so that's why I went with him. I don't love it, but it's the best I could do. Sam, where are you, sir? I thought I'd be dealing with picking Chris Jones actually. Well, you're not. I'm going to clean sweep here in a minute. Well, I think though it actually speaks to the fact that when you open this exercise,

20:18I don't think you anticipate you will pick Chris Jones because picking him and implies that you think he's going to, you know, to have a major surge in his 30s. But the reality is go through the rest of the depth chart. And it speaks to what Jeff talks about the fact that there's not a lot of all pros on this team. Like the chief's defense to be successful is going to have to be because it doesn't have weaknesses, not because it has a bunch of stars. I will say, you know, ESPN puts out its past rush, win rate every year. And Chris Jones still had the highest win rate for any defensive tackle in the league last year. And I know the sack numbers aren't there. But that speaks to Jeff's point about you've got to have help. You can't just have one guy winning because then the quarterback can move. You've got to still have help. His win rate last year was 17.4. Third on the list was 12.8. That's how good of a year he had just winning and past rush. But you know, two years now, it's been a thing like those have to turn in the sacks this year.

21:22Yeah, I, you know, I'm with you. It's Chris Jones by default. But I, if you gave me the field versus Chris Jones, I'd take the field. Like I think somebody can emerge whether Mansor Delain has a, you know, he's going to be one of the best corners of football and he has a fantastic year or, you know, or Mason Thomas is. George go off this could, you know, what if he has 12 sacks or something? Yes, George go off this has a big sack year. And Chris Jones has, you know, it's effective, but has only like four sacks because he gets a bunch of pressures and doesn't have sacks. Like I, I can, I, I think the cheese will be better off if Chris Jones doesn't win this award. Yeah. Because I think we, none of us think that we're going to get the, the premier Chris Jones. So if he does it, it means everybody's below his level. What you're hoping is that somebody, the most likely candidates would be Peter Woods, who I put up there at that he has had Peter Woods as the answer. If Peter Woods or, or, or, Armies and Thomas or Mansor Delain who are all high draft picks, if any one of them could come through and Chris Jones have a good year and they're better than them,

22:25then that's the best case scenario for this defense. So, you know, it's, it's Chris Jones by default. And listen, I do give him a chance at 32 to have one of those like, okay, he's perfectly healthy all year. He's motivated. And he wants to have another big season. Everything's about Aaron Donald Aaron Donald Aaron Donald and he comes out and he has a big year. I think that could happen. He is a, he is a Hall of Fame caliber defensive tackle. And so he could have a great year. But I think more likely he is, he has a good year. And if this defense is going to be great, somebody has a better year and wins this award. How about the biggest surprise for this team? We mean that in a positive because we've also got the disappointment. So surprise is a positive in how we view it. Jeff, your biggest surprise is who? Emmett Johnson. And maybe that's a little hanging fruit because of the way he played in the preseason. But I was high on him when he came in. I, you know, you look at his career in Nebraska and the numbers he put up in the way he can catch the football. And look, if he's going to be the number two back, it sounds like as if the past protection has become less of a concern with his coaching staff.

23:30And so he has a great opportunity here to come in and, and be an option. You know, we'll get into the bowl during predictions later. But I think he's going to be an important part of their run game because. Look, can I walk her as much as I talk about him being a bell call back? He was successful with Jack Sharpenay, being a part of that tandem. The chiefs like to use other backs and they wouldn't surprise me if Emmett Johnson put up a pretty impressive rookie season, given the way they want to run the football. Yeah, okay. I like him at Johnson and I, and I think I kicked around some ideas for him on some bold and daring predictions and didn't ultimately end up landing one. But I do like that as a pick. Sam, where are you going? I think it's really hard to pick a surprise because, you know, when you're around the team every day, you really shouldn't be like stunned by anyone now. You're immense now. Yeah. I was actually going to say in our listeners too. I mean, our listeners know the entire 53. Yeah. And we know who's had a good camp and not so either are going to pick a guy who's had a bad camp of color surprise.

24:31So I'm going with Armass and Thomas for the fact that I'm surprised he's been this effective already and preseason. And so in carrying that on. And by the way, the most questions about any draft pick that she's had was Armass and Thomas and whatnot he fits. These magnolous scheme. And so because of that, I think I can qualify him as a surprise. And, you know, it was just like four weeks ago, five weeks ago that I mentioned that only one chief's rookie in the last like 12, 15 years has had more than three sacks and was George Carloftus. So and I picked the under on rocky sacks. And that's why I say my surprises is, you know, leading the way here. But I think Armass and Thomas, based on what we've seen, is going to have a real impact and and a team that desperately needs to improve its past rush. Yeah. I think it's legit because I think if you you say Armass and Thomas and he goes on as three sacks, that's not going to qualify as a surprise. But you say Armass and Thomas and he goes on as nine and a half. Okay. That's that's that's surprising because you're right. It fit was a big question mark for him coming in. I think it's fair. I've got no Williams.

25:36Because I think no Williams takes a big step. They're going to have to play him. He's a ball. Hawk. I think it may be more sizzled and substance because maybe he gets burned a couple of times for big plays. But I think he's going to have some picks. I think he plays the game different than Tremac Duffy. And so I like what I've seen from no Williams. I think he's sticky and coverage and his MO and a cow was at the get picks. And so I think that's turnovers or something that this team needs to create more of. I think there's a chance that they have a and I expect them to have a better past rush. Better past rush should mean more, you know, sloppy balls out there for no Williams to go try and pick off. So that's the that's the route I'm going. I'm going with no Williams as my surprise. How about your disappoint? I saw your smile Sam. I heard it. Jeff right as it came out. I was like, I should bring it back. I couldn't get it back. I couldn't get it back. I already already gone down that road. Jeff, how about your disappointment?

26:36Well, I'm bitter about last season. And so I'm going to hold Xavier were these people. I'm going as far away from his possible liking it. So he's my my big disappointment. I don't see any hope after all the love and all the high five lavish on him last year. I'm not going anywhere near that. So he's going to. I think he's going to be around 11 10 yards of catch. I think he's going to have one touch two touchdowns again. And I think he's not going to be a major factor. He's going to lose, lose opportunities and cyber saline even. So yeah, I'm going to put Xavier worthy with a bullet disappointment. I'm pissed. Yeah. You didn't come through me last year. Therefore I'm glad to be worthy. I love it. I love it. Yeah, listen, what would it take for Xavier worthy to be a disappointment? Last year season. Last year. Or is that now the expectation? Yeah. Can he be worse than that?

27:38Well, the talk is that, you know, him being injured last year. I mean, he's he's talked with the fact he couldn't run every route last year that they had to determine what routes he could run based on his injury. Like, is that the excuse for the season he had? I also think any time a second year player has a worse year than his first year that, you know, I mean, it's obviously disappointing last year. But does that just become the new norm? Xavier worthy is one of the most fascinating players on this roster this year for that reason. Yeah, I would agree. By the way, here's some folks weighing in. Thaddeus Kelsey. He's got for the disappointment and hope I'm wrong with Simmons. You know, a couple of from Steven. He's got Simmons. Sam, where are you going on your disappointment? I guess similar reason is Jeff, but I'm going with Taikwan Thorden. I think there's this assumption that he's wide receiver three and that he's going to take this big leap from last year. You know, I mean, he had what like 19 catches last year, 20 catches last year, like I won a ton. And he didn't play a ton after Rashi Rice came back from a suspension.

28:46And I guess I'm just wondering why he's going to have this, this big leap this year. And to me, if anyone does get Wally pipped by like a rookie, for example, I think it's Taikwan Thorden snaps who get diminished because he's a downfield route runner on a team that employ. The guy who broke the record for the fastest 40 in the league. So I just I don't think it's as natural a fit for wider see where three is everyone else does. Yeah, that's interesting. By the way, I like this one. Ben says butker. You pay a kicker, seven million. He needs to make extra points. I actually didn't look at the special teams, but I mean, that's that's totally. That's what it's a very important about Thornton too, because he was a bust and he had 19 catches and people act like he's like become the star now. Yeah, yeah. I mean, there is the Taikwan Thorden is a good one because I think there are expectations. Well, let's make it a clean sweep for the wider sewers, but I'll take a different one. I'll take Cyrus Gray. The hype was there.

29:47Yeah, Cyrus. Cyrus. Cyrus. Cyrus. He's gonna give nothing. Yeah, he'll get nothing from him. Cyrus Allen is who I will go with a lot of hype. I think he's going to be fine, but you know, I think there are people hoping he's going to be the number one wide receiver or the number two wide receiver. I think he'll do a good job, but there's going to be an apprenticeship season for him. That'll be this year. We've talked a lot about rookies, wide receivers and, you know, Rashi Rice kind of bucked that trend a couple of years ago. Xavier Worthy didn't have a big first year. I expect kind of the same thing from Cyrus Allen. And I think they want to get. They want to get the, you know, Rashi Rice and Xavier Worthy going. So I think they're going to try to feed the football there. There's only so many footballs to put around. They want to run the ball more. Travis Kelsey's going to want his touches. I think he could be a real good player, but still be disappointing for the fans based upon what their expectations are. What are they? What do you think the expectations are for Cyrus on? Because I think the expectations are like chip in four to five hundred yards for a fifth round rookies.

30:51I think for the fans, the expectations are eight nine hundred yards that he's going to go. Oh, if you ate the expectations are 900 yards, all I had him to. I think it's a point of less. Yeah. I think he could be wide receiver three by the end of the year. Like I don't think, but I agree with you. Like he's not passing Xavier Worthy and Rashi rise. Yeah. And I think that's where people they want him to be one or two. And I don't think he's going to get there. Right. I hope I'm wrong. I hope this is without all the headaches off the field in Tony O'Brien. Right. I hope it's Pukin' Akua. I hope it's, you know, the late brown wide receiver steal that chief could use it. But I think it's, it's just too much to put on him. I think he's a good player. I think Albert Wilson's a good comp for him. And I think people are wanting that Albert Wilson has now become the floor for this guy. And I think that's an unfair expectation for him. What do you got for a final record, Jeff? Where are you going for the a cheese once all said and done? You know, I want to preface this by saying I think that they're.

31:51Oh, wait a minute. I'm just right. Oh, man. I don't want to lose. Yeah. We go. Yeah. I think they're a better team than they were last year. They'll be a better team. But I think at their best, they'd probably be a 10 win team. So I had them between 10 and eight wins. So I won't not an eight. So that's nine and eight. Let us between 10 and nine. Yeah. Yeah. So I wanted to go to 10 and said, well, I just didn't believe that be everything going right. And so I don't think everything will fall apart for them, which would get them to eight and nine. So I'm going to stay with nine and eight. Listen, I'm putting up with the guys are saying in the chat room, 10 and seven, 10 and seven, nine and eight and nine. So don't be freaking out. Okay. And Jeff people like to like somehow, you know, he's coming in here and being kept a negative. There's lots of people that are in the same right in the same neighborhood as you are. All right, Sam. 15, 16. How many got him winning? I think I think we'll save yours prediction for last. Yeah. I got him a 10 and seven.

32:51I think the I think the Vegas numbers 10 and a half on the cheese this year. Yes, it is. I don't even know if anyone on overrunners is not a half. So I think the cheese might have been one of the harder teams for them to put in there. If I had to guess, I'm guessing the juices on the under on that that you've got to pay a lot more for for the under. But 10 and seven feels about right for the reasons Jeff mentioned this is a better team than it was a years ago. The last year's team also. It was like the switch flipped on the lock that they had from the year before. The 2020 14 was not a 15 and one good team. Last year's team was better than six and eight with Patrick and Holmes. And I've mentioned that for their red zone issues for their penalty issues. There were so many ways to get incrementally better that they significant differences in their game. So I think even being incrementally better team and flipping some of the small details can make you 10 and seven. Okay, you got him a 10 and seven stunning. We go up the ladder.

33:52I'll go 11 and six. I I'll go 11 and six because one and I was in Vegas and I did not worry. I don't even have to be in Vegas anymore. But back of the day, you used to be one of the things we did on our biggest trip for fantasy football was go hit the sports book and get all our total bets in and everything. You know, I would bet the cheese over I wouldn't play it. If you're a cheese fan, you should never bet your team under. There's nothing worse than watching your team go over it. You're okay. I'm going to lost my voice. Was the do you remember the word? Was the juice on the under though? I don't know. I can check some of the books right now as to where it's at. Yeah, the juice is on the under. It's minus one 45 for the under and it's plus one 20 for the over on ten and a half, which is basically a 10 win. A projection. Yeah, yeah, that's that's what they're saying there. So I'll go 11. I'll bet on Patrick Mahomes. I'll bet on 80 Reed. I'll bet on the championship caliber of this organization and I'll take them for 11 wins.

34:56Where you got them going in the playoffs? Is there a playoffs? Do you have to have them on the outside looking in? Do you have them going, you know, nine and eight and all the way to the conference. A championship game. What do you got? Wild card. I have them in, you know, that, you know, it's tough to look at the competition around that space, which would be to me would be like the Patriots, the Jaguars, these teams that won their divisions, but you could see them taking a step back this year. So I felt like I trusted them enough to take a step up, but nine and eight wild card out in the first round, wild card round loss. Okay, Sam. I've got to go into the division around. So being one of the final four teams in the AFC and to be honest, like I considered a step past that rather than a step before that because I don't think the AFC has premiered teams in the way they did. It seemed a year ago. Now the league always works out differently than the way you anticipate. There's always some teams who emerge. But to me, it doesn't have like the bills of two years ago or the bills of three years ago.

35:56And to be honest, last year didn't either. The Broncos were a market-away luckily team. The Patriots had the easiest schedule. The NFL has ever seen. Like, I don't think the AFC was a leap last year either. And I think that's going to kind of be how it is. So their team, even if it's Jeff's record right, is nine and eight. They're still going to have a chance week to week in the playoffs, I think. Yeah, I've got them going into the division around as well. I'm with you on the AFC, although, you know, the AFC wasn't with. I didn't I don't think anybody. The bills are supposed to take hold of that division, especially with the Ravens and Chiefs receding. They should have dominated and had a great run all the way in there. Instead, they spit the bit. But while the AFC, and I know you play five NFC games, but while the AFC was down the Chiefs once, once six games. So there is an element of like, we don't think the AFC was that good. And it's still battered and bruised the Chiefs last year. But I've got them going to the division round and losing there. Although I think if you, like, if you get to game day and they're whoever they're playing in the division round,

36:56I'm sure I, at that moment, I'm probably going to be telling you, no, I think they're going to win. I'm sure I'll have a different view of it when we get to game day. But sitting here thinking big picture, there are limits to this team. They'll have injuries and they're not deep. And so I think that'll ultimately cost them. So I've only got them going to the division round as well. So we'll see, you know, if we get it right, bold and daring predictions. We want to do that. We'll do it after you hear from Italian Delight. Italian Delight was the first restaurant to bring true New York style pizza to Kansas City almost 50 years ago. They sell whole pies or pizza by the slice or enjoy their classic strombolis, cow's owns and sausage rolls. Sandwich lovers check out their lineup of hot and cold subs, the combo, the meatball or the filling cheesecake, just the name of you. And don't forget the pasta, they're famous lasagna and classic chicken alfredo, always hit the spot. If you're hungry for lunch, check out their daily lunch specials starting at under 10 bucks. Italian Delight can even cater your next work function or party. Dining, carry out or delivery, it's Italian Delight located just three minutes east of Kansas Speedway at 8145 State Ave in KCK.

38:00Check out the menu and order online at ItalianDelight KS dot com Kansas City's own Italian Delight. If your property needs asphalt or concrete work, Gan Asphalt and Concrete is ready to help you from parking lots and drive lanes to sidewalks, curves, patching, seal coding, crack filling and repairs. Their experience crews handle projects of all sizes throughout the entire Kansas City Metro, whether you're fixing problem areas or planning a larger paving project, Gan focuses on quality workmanship and dependable service from start to finish. No matter what shape your pavement is in today, they can help improve it. Request a free estimate and learn more at ganasphalt.com, ganasphalt and concrete, one contractor, all things parking lots. All right, time for some bold and daring predictions. We've got three each for the Kansas City Chiefs. You can take them to the bank. I've actually got five down here. So in case we duplicate something, I can pivot and go another direction.

39:04Jeff, let's start with you. Bold and daring predictions. What do you got for the Kansas City Chiefs this year? This you may argue with the bonus of this, but I've got Patrick my homes not throwing 30 touchdown passes for the four straight year. And so I think at some point I thought that streak would break, but I'm not confident with this group he's throwing to and even the changes in the offense that he'll get there. And so I think he will be. I don't say disappointing again, but I don't think he's going to be an MVP candidate this year. Okay. I'm going to say I'm going to be the one to call me up. I'm just saying that we've made excuses. I'm saying it's going to continue. That's bold. Well, not throw 30 TD passes this year. Okay. Okay. Yeah. So. You guys think he will surpass that? Well, well, that's the point.

40:06Well, no, that's not it's not about whether or not we think the predictions wrong as whether or not a kick classifies as bold. Yeah. He's done it three straight years. Well, send us to read us talk about our streak going to keep my streak going. I think people think he's going to throw for 30 more touchdowns. So I'm going against what I think the consensus would be which make I think he's going to throw for 30 touchdowns. So you you you dis but but I'm and I'm a complete Homer. I mean, so you know, that doesn't make it bold because you go against the Homer on this one. So but okay. All right. Well, there it is. It's on the board. We'll crap on it again with this over. But I want to hear it. You also will get no credit if you're right. We'll go against your wrong. Sam, what do you got? I've got that my homes won't throw 40 touchdowns this year. Well, okay. Save, save, and then. Did it. That's really bold.

41:06We don't know. We did. It's like five years. You get to me and I say not 50. You know, not on my list. I have that the cheese will intercept at least 16 passes this year, which is 1.6 times what they had last year. Only six teams did this last year. It's also been six years since the cheese did this. Not four straight years of doing it. So look, I mean, it's kind of the the oddness of the bold and daring is you have to argue against yourself for a little bit for why this shouldn't happen. But I think they're going to get more pressure this year. It's the pressure that to me actually leads to turnovers and strand you mentioned this earlier. And I was kind of cringing hope and you'd stop talking because. I have the same point about the fact that no Williams is more of a ballhawk. I think he's going to get beat more but have more interceptions. I think Mansour Delains is the same way he's going to get beat more than Trent McDuffie is but I think he's going to have more interceptions. So when you combine that with the pressure, I think that. They're going to they're going to intercept some more passes this year.

42:06Well, I will I will not use what I had, which was the chief's top, the Andy Reed Chiefs Interception record of 22. In two, two, two last year, 2022 is what they had in 2015. They had 21 in 2013. So that's what I had, but you've already covered this one. So I'll just tell you that I was really willing to go bold. I thought about going double because they had 10 last year. But then when you look at the numbers, like I said, I mean the last five years they've had 10, 13, 8, 11 and 15. So I'm topping all of those, which is basically this bag's era. Okay. So I'll go a different direction and I'll race to this one because I think one of you might be there or maybe I should leave it and take something else because I think there's a decent chance one of you's going to have this one. Let me see what else I've got. Yeah, I'll leave that one on the board. If one of you ends up taking it, that's fine. I'll just I'll do it. So with a chief wide receiver becomes just the seventh chief wide receiver in club history with 10 TD catches.

43:14I thought about that idea, but that's bold because I couldn't get there. I think it has to be, it almost has to be Rashi rice and I don't like the way he's looking in camp. I think that they've got to get to the wide receivers and I also think that if they do run the ball effectively, which I think they're definitely going to commit to then there should be more opportunities to play action and get guys one on one. And there should be more patch moans should have more 25 yard touchdowns, 35 hit a guy at 18 yards and stride and there's no safety back there because he was creeping up the run. So opportunity should be there. Frankly, I mean, I guess we don't want to be the seventh player. There been nine occurrences. Tyree killed it at twice and I think Stefan page did it twice. So it doesn't happen very often for the for the Kansas City chiefs. Definitely. Definitely falls under the load carry. Especially when we all have wide receivers as our are bust. But yeah, I think I think the opportunities will be there and they need to cash on this.

44:1610 touchdowns from a wide receiver. Jeff, number two, what do you got? Well, again, since you guys dumped on me for their Patrick my home with your probably primed for this one as well. Travis Kelsey will lead the team in receptions again. And that's based on just I just can't find a single receiver. I'm just going to put this way. It's a good and a bad thing. So to me, I think people are waiting for him to disappoint the decline. So I think he will play at a higher level. But it also means nobody else on this team will rise up and take that mantle for him. So. It's here. Well, I'll actually go ahead and share my my next one because I have for the first time since 2021. The Travis Kelsey will not lead the team in and receipt. Oh, wow. That's yards. Well, yeah, this is something that hasn't been done in five years. That's what the that has been done every year for the last five years. And you know, I guess I'm allowing myself the field. I think Rashi Rice is the most likely answer.

45:16But I actually think this is more about the fact that a 37 year old tight end getting 800 yards is going to be really tough. And somebody's got to get 800 yards on this team where we're going to be talking about an offense that needs a ton of repair. And that's the offseason. But you know, you're you're you're doing a lot of stuff to try and get some guys more open over the middle of the field. And I think the guy who operates around the linebacker area might be, you know, biting on play action more is the most likely one. But let's face this offense right now is still set up as though Travis Kelsey is going to be leading the team and receiving again. Yeah, I think that's that's that's a pretty good one. I mean, I like it. He is getting up there. So it's not the boldest of bold. But you know, it's some frustrating years though. Yeah, no, I agree. I agree. It's a tie. We kill was the last guy to do it. So we're you're looking for somebody to roll into that realm. All right. I'm going to I'm going to stick. I still I'll leave this other one that that's out there.

46:16Well, that forced me to go with my last one. Yeah, okay. I will go with the chiefs top the Andy Reed chiefs rushing record of two thousand and 56 yards. They did that all the way back in 2013. They've topped 2000 yards twice in his tenure 13. And I think they did it in like 15 maybe they did it in the year that nobody was that they did what year did you all Charles hurt his knee. That was the year they went over 2000 yards in addition to 13 was when he was out. It was this hodgepodge of that was that was 15 when they went on that that run. Yeah, where they started like one and four one and five and that's what I had to stretch. Nobody had 600 yards that year, but they had over 2000 yards rushing. That was the last time they did it. But I'll take him to top 2000 and 56 yards, which they did in 13. They said a new Andy Reed chiefs rushing record this year. Is that bold? Is that bold enough? Or do I get crapped on for that? Yeah, that's a good one.

47:16Yeah, okay. Okay. I like it. I like it. Jeff number three. Oh, wait, can we guess? Can we try to guess? Yeah, sure, sure, sure. Chris, Chris Jones will have a sack. No, we've got a defensive player of the year. I can't say this is all aligned, man. I can't like say one thing in one spot and completely, you know, it'd be called covering your bases. Yeah, that's right. Now after I got, I'm going to go defense. I had an offense one here last one. I'm going to say mass or delaying will intercept at least four passes. So I'm going in the same vein as Sam is with the reception. I think you will be more of a ball hawk. Be more aggressive on the balls in the air. That's how McDuffy was. I think he's going to be the leader of the secondary. And I can't remember the last time a DB had that many corner had that many interceptions. Is it Marcus Beers? Yeah, probably. Probably. How many of us can't remember the last time a corner? How about many for him? Yeah. So there you go.

48:20That's a bold, bold, bold one. Yeah, you guys can't think you can't think what it happened. I definitely hit a home run with that one. I like the way you sold it. Good job. Good job. That's great. All right. Where are you going Sam? Yeah, let me. Okay. I'll say that patch of my home becomes a top five deep passing quarterback again. I think I mentioned this stat a few weeks ago in this podcast, but a 21 qualified quarterbacks last year. He finished 20th and his grade. He finished overall among all quarterbacks 12th in yards on deep passes downfield passing in 30 second and touchdowns 31 quarterbacks had at least two touchdowns on downfield shots. He had one. So I think he improves in all three areas, but I guess the metric, which which I'll grade it by is that I think will be a top five graded quarterback on deep passing. I think that's all aided by the fact that I don't know if they'll take more shots this year. I actually anticipate they won't, but I just think it's going to be more open for.

49:27Okay. Okay. I like that one. I think that's a good one. I've got two that I'm choosing between one is that the chief get their first kick return touchdown since 2020. Because I do think they've got some guys that'll go to probably be in a punt because nobody seems to be able to take kickoffs back. And I've got this is the one I thought one of you would have. I've got Chris show and reaches 10 sex. Which one to put on the board? Well, the first, the second one's repetitive, right? So put put the other one on the board. The turn. Who was that? Was that the one who's repetitive? Well, you have Chris Jones as your defensive player the year. So that's kind of going up. So put the other one on there. All right. Then I'll I'll I'll shade that one out. Chiefs get their first kick return touchdown since 2020. Was there a rainbow with the 2020? I think you're right. I think I have one against the didn't he have one against the Bengals one time and there was a hold on it. Yeah. That went I think I think I was in Cincinnati and then it ended up costing that game. They lost that game because I was like towards the end of the first half. They're going to go up three scores and I think it was Devon Keegout calls for a holding on that and that kind of derailed that game for him.

50:34Yeah. But I I I I like the kick returners. I think they've got some guys. They're long overdue. They've told better right to the point that we had earlier like you can't have Harrison Bucker missing extra points and not be getting plays out of the kick returns, especially when he seems to have some fingerprints on the roster. When it comes to you know who they're keeping. So you know, can I can I say there this has no real place on this this podcast, but it was something I was looking at this week that I just thought people might find interesting. So the the same guys who do who do deviate away over FTN also talk about luck and special teams and the chiefs had the worst luck and special teams last year. So that's things like you can't control whether or not an opponent's going to make a field goal. You can't control. I mean, you can block field goals, but the chiefs also blocked one. You can't control how far upon this like you can't control where the guy kicks it off to the stuff that's out of your control and the chiefs had the worst luck in the league last year on special teams.

51:36So their special teams could look better by just that luck, evening out. Yeah, and I like do we believe in Dave tobed. Do you think Dave tobed is still at the top of the game top of the when it comes to special teams or Dave tobed got something to prove. I think he is. I just think that the special teams game has changed so much with all the rules changes and the returns and they haven't had a premier returner since Tyrick Hill left town. So I think all those factors into well, they haven't used him since. I don't know what year was the last time he was back their returning kicks. Yeah, but early on in Dave tobed's one of the reasons why they corrected me. Thank you. It was Zane Anderson. Zane Anderson. Okay. On the fly. You know, when Dave tobed first got here before Tyrick Hill, they they got returned. They got returned touchdowns from everybody like Will Demps like backup safeties right there. Nile Davis got got one in the playoff game. Yeah, I mean, it was it was like easy pickings for them. It didn't matter who was back there. And it's been a long time.

52:41And I do think teams have gotten a lot better. I think punters have gotten a lot better at pinning you on the sideline and doing their thing and getting elevation. I mean, every punter every kicker and punter now is like six five. That's a giant leg and can do things. I think it's harder to do it. So I don't think it's all like Dave tobed forgot how to return guys, but it is amazing that it's been that long because it was it was easy for them when when he first got to town. And it hasn't been that easy. There it is bold and daring predictions. We always look back at these at the end of the season and see how we did. So we we don't get them all perfect. I'm just going to I lied about that earlier on the on the podcast. So sometimes we miss. So when we miss. We we talk about it and we go ahead and take the bullet for it. Listen, you can always support the regular bull by supporting your great sponsors, gay and asphalt concrete 30 years. GAN, help Kansas City businesses, maintain safe professional looking properties, whether you need asphalt, paving, cracks, healing concrete repairs or parking lots, striping, gandellers quality work you can trust visit gann asphalt.com for a free estimate. And if you're looking for a little lunch today, how about Italian delight just a few minutes east of Kansas Speedway on state have 8145 state avenue.

53:52They've got lunch special starting in under 10 bucks. The first to bring true New York stop pizza to Kansas City almost 50 years ago. It's Italian delight. Find them online at Italian delight KS dot com for Jeff GD for Sam McDowell. I'm Sir Ed Petro saying thank you very much for joining us here on the red golden bowl. If you liked the show, please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe. It really does help the show to grow. Thank you for listening.