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ESPN betting analyst makes bold claim about Chiefs ahead of season
The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2025 NFL season looking to put a frustrating 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX behind them.
A sloppy three-turnover performance proved costly, putting the Chiefs in a 34-0 hole and preventing them from becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
As Kansas City looks to return to form and bounce back from its season-ending disappointment, ESPN betting analyst Joe Fortenbaugh believes there are two factors, the Los Angeles Chargers and history, that could prevent the Chiefs from extending their dominance in the AFC West and the entire league.
"And I know, a lot of people will say we've heard this before. You haven't heard it with Jim Harbaugh before," Fortenbaugh said in an appearance on ESPN's "First Take" Thursday morning. "You heard it with the previous regime ... But look at what he did with San Francisco. He came in, it was a six-win team under Mike Singletary. The next year, they're in the NFC Championship game. The next year, they're in the Super Bowl. Lost both of those games, but the guy built a program.
"The team's on the rise," Fortenbaugh continued. "They're going to be able to run the football. They're going to be able to beat you in the trenches. They're going to be able to go toe-to-toe with a Chiefs team they went toe-to-toe with last year."
"I think history is against them, I think the Chargers can get them as well."@JoeFortenbaugh shares the threats to the Chiefs ahead of next season pic.twitter.com/s6u2BXLtWh
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 19, 2025
As for history not being on Kansas City's side, Fortenbaugh pointed to the players being tired after the team's fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons, saying, "You can't keep that up. It takes a toll on your body."
Fortenbaugh finished with this statement about the close calls the Chiefs have had recently.
"12-0 in one-score games last year, 17 straight one-score wins. That is not sustainable, offensive line still a problem. Top-six schedule in terms of difficulty ... I think history is against them, I think the Chargers are the team that can get them as well."
Fortenbaugh certainly makes some valid points, especially considering the Chiefs ranked 18th in the league in sacks allowed per game (2.6) last season, per TeamRankings, leaving room for improvement when protecting their three-time Super Bowl-champion QB.
While the Chiefs do have the sixth-toughest schedule in the league, per Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, they at least face the Philadelphia Eagles (Week 2), Baltimore Ravens (Week 4), Detroit Lions (Week 6) and Washington Commanders (Week 8) at home.
Harbaugh's Chargers have added depth on offense to pair with a defense that allowed the second-fewest points per game last season (18.5). Don't count the Denver Broncos out, either, after a productive rookie season from quarterback Bo Nix and a bolstered defense in recent months.
Still, Patrick Mahomes is back under center and Travis Kelce returns at tight end after a career-low, full-time season with 823 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Question marks aside, the AFC West will still likely run through the Chiefs until another franchise steps up and proves they can take it away. After all, Kansas City has won the division the last nine seasons.
You can never count the Chiefs out as they have proven time and again. Following the sloppy conclusion to the 2024 season, how they come out of the gates could be a good indicator of where this team is for the 2025 season.
More must-reads:
- Is Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes still the No. 1 QB in the NFL?
- Chief weakness for every AFC starting quarterback
- The '1,000-yard receivers in the 2024-25 NFL season' quiz
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