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AFC West: Predictions For Each Team

By Eric Robinson

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) celebrates with inside linebacker Ben Heeney (51) after a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack (52) celebrates with inside linebacker Ben Heeney (51) after a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) is congratulated by nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) after sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) is congratulated by nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) after sacking San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) (not pictured) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Chiefs: The defense will allow under 90 rushing yards per game

Although outside linebacker Justin Houston gets majority of the headlines when it comes to the defense, the unit as a whole was convincingly one of the best defenses in the league in 2015. One phase in particular was the run defense which allowed 98.2 yards per contest, good for eighth in the league. Thanks in large part to one of the best defensive lines in the entire league.

Defensive linemen Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard lead the charge along with nose tackle Dontari Poe and the 2016 drafting of 6’6 310 pound Chris Jones out of Mississippi State adds another athletic defender to the equation. Including the playoffs, Kansas City mounted up 12 games of under 100 rushing yards, with six of those under 70 total rushing yards.

As stated before, Houston and safety Eric Berry grabs the spotlight for the Chiefs defense and rightfully so. However, the key component provided by the D-Line with the help of their talented teammates played a major hand in the team’s success in 2015 and will look to have a repeat performance in 2016.

Next: Oakland Raiders

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