The Kansas City Chiefs began the season with new hope and with good reason. While the team shouldn’t reasonably expect to make the playoffs in 2009, an improved set of players offensively and defensively should give the Chiefs a little more to contend for than in recent years. The team has lost star tight end Tony Gonzalez, but a few other additions have lessened this loss somewhat.

Most notably, the acquisition of Matt Cassel, the quarterback who largely replaced Tom Brady and nearly took the Patriots to the Super Bowl. Cassel is the first legitimate quarterback appearance the team has had in quite a few seasons. After losing an aging Trent Green to injury, the Chiefs have struggled to find their way at quarterback, juggling Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle and others, but Cassel really removes any question marks in the lineup. position.

Unfortunately, Cassel was absent from the team’s Week 1 game in Baltimore due to injury. Despite this, the Chiefs looked pretty good, all things considered. Dwayne Bowe and others give this team a shot of youth and a bit of hope.

Cassel was an efficient quarterback in Week 2, but the team was unable to defeat the visiting Oakland Raiders. While the Raiders would normally be considered an easy opponent, the fact that they nearly beat the Chargers at home in Week 1 could mean the Raiders have gotten better.

Still, there’s no question the Chiefs wanted to win their Week 1 game, and the team’s next three games against the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys could make this another tough season in Kansas City.