Kansas City Chiefs Odds To Win Super Bowl XLV Between Slim and None

NFL News - March 10th, 2010 - Written by John

Kansas City was 4-12 last year and has the fourth pick in April's draft. But they appear to be in the middle of a complete 180 after bringing in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Both were on the sidelines during the New England Patriots' three Super Bowl appearances early in the decade.

The Chargers will be the favorites, but Kansas City is a wild card because no one in the division has done more to alter their course. According to NFL Betting Lines listed on Bodog, the Chiefs have 100/1 odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl, but getting to the playoffs will be the hardest part. After that, a comfort zone may be easy to find for a coaching staff used to deep postseason runs.

They re-signed veteran receiver Chris Chambers, and reeled in Thomas Jones from the free agent market.

The 31-year old coming off his best season ever, signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs on Tuesday, creating the most fearsome rushing tandem in the AFC West. Jones will receive $5 million over the life of the contract.

Jones set his career-best 1,402 yards and 14 touchdowns last season in New York, and clearly had life still on the tires, but was allowed to walk instead of paying him a $3 million roster bonus and $2.8 million salary. Team officials said they still hoped to re-sign him in free agency, but it was unlikely he would want to return with the wavering support.

Jones will platoon with Jamaal Charles, Kansas City's leading rusher in '09, and is expected to hang around 300 carries like he did last year. Charles ran for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns, and was the team's offensive MVP. Together, their 2,522 combined yards is the most of any team in the Chiefs' division.

By the end of the year, the most fearsome duo in the AFC had belonged to New York. Jones was the big bruiser that wore down defenses at the beginning, and rookie Shonn Greene was the clean-up hitter brought in for the knockout punch. He delivered in the playoffs with back-to-back 100-yard games to send the Jets to the AFC Championship until losing to the Indianapolis Colts. New York ranked first in rushing yards (172.2 yards per).

Matt Cassel will be expected to prove on an otherwise ordinary year in '09, because he isn't being paid ordinarily. With a brand-new offensive staff, Todd Haley will try to get him back to the form circa 2008, when he threw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with the New England Patriots.

Kansas City is expected to go defense in the draft, in hopes to improve on their 30th ranked unit. The Chiefs allowed 34 points six times last season, three times to division teams.