Titans vs. Chiefs: 6 Questions with KC Kingdom Co-Editor Ben Nielsen

Joshua: How good are the Chiefs? Despite their 4-0 record, their opponent’s strength of schedule is 3-13. Two of their wins came against 0-4 teams. Their most impressive win came against a .500ish Dallas Cowboys team at Arrowhead Stadium. Through these first four games, do the Chiefs look like an eight-win team, 10-win team, or even a team who could steal the AFC West crown from the Denver Broncos?

Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks with quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Ben: This team seems to have the feel of the Alex Smith-led 49ers team that lost in the NFC Championship game two years ago: Top five defense, stellar running back, efficient quarterback play, good coaching. The schedule is very soft all season, not just at the beginning, and the AFC is very weak so it may not take a lot to slide into the playoffs.

On the flip side: Alex Smith. He’s maybe the 17th best quarterback in the NFL. How much can you win with the 17th best quarterback in the NFL in a quarterback driven league?

Our local newspaper columnist Sam Mellinger has a line that says Kansas City fans are always looking for the monster around the corner because there has always been a monster around the corner. That monster probably comes in the form of a Smith or Jamaal Charles injury. Either would cripple this team.