On Thursday, the NFL launched the complete 2026 common season schedule. We now know the dates and instances for each recreation the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs will play (by way of Week 17).
As we put together for the upcoming slate, let’s check out the place the schedule makers could have erred. These soar out because the three greatest misses.
1. An early primetime showcase nobody demanded
The Chiefs beginning the season in opposition to the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football” is intriguing. The narrative of the opener virtually writes itself because the Chiefs face the crew that dethroned them after a decade of AFC West dominance. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, doubtless coming back from harm in entrance of a raucous Arrowhead Stadium crowd, can be a terrific optic to shut the NFL’s opening weekend.
Opposing quarterback Bo Nix’s ankle fracture, which has presumably price Denver a visit to the Tremendous Bowl, may also be a compelling angle because the Broncos attempt to keep on high of the division.
Lower than every week later, nonetheless, the Chiefs will once more be at dwelling in primetime — this time in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts.
Critically, will there be any hype for this matchup?
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVMBER 23: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the soccer in the course of the second quarter in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Picture by Kathryn Riley/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
These groups final met in Week 11 final season, when the Chiefs received in extra time after an atrociously sloppy efficiency by each groups. Nobody who watched the Chiefs and Colts face off in November walked away with an urge for food to see a rematch earlier than a nationwide viewers.
Additionally, every week earlier than Mahomes tore his knee ligaments, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon. This implies the league could have standalone video games that includes each quarterbacks coming off critical leg accidents within the first two weeks.
“Chiefs fatigue” may be very actual. It’s a stunning phenomenon when introduced on by clutch performances that break the hearts of different fanbases. Sadly, it additionally outcomes from the Chiefs ceaselessly being put in unattractive highlight video games like Week 2 shapes as much as be.
2. Delaying a must-see quarterback duel
The Cincinnati Bengals, behind star quarterback Joe Burrow, are the final AFC crew to defeat the Chiefs within the postseason. For all of the hype we see when Mahomes performs in opposition to Josh Allen of the Buffalo Payments or Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, head-to-head video games in opposition to Burrow really feel a unique stage of non-public due to the playoff historical past.
Pairings between Mahomes and Burrow additionally really feel extra particular as a result of they haven’t occurred as ceaselessly as the opposite AFC rivalries. That is partially attributable to Burrow’s harm historical past, which has seen him miss important parts of the season 3 times in his six-year profession.
Soccer: Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow (9) in motion, seems to be on vs Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas Metropolis, MO 9/15/2024 CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Picture by Erick W. Rasco/Sports activities Illustrated by way of Getty Pictures) (Set Quantity: X164620 TK1)
The NFL is taking a raffle by scheduling the Chiefs’ go to to Cincinnati for Week 14. The final time the 2 groups met was in December 2023, when Mahomes confronted off in opposition to profession backup passer Jake Browning.
When the 2 sides meet, 819 days could have handed since Mahomes and Burrow final shared the sector early within the 2024 season. In addition to harm issues for each quarterbacks from 2025, there’s additionally all the time an opportunity one or each groups could have underperformed by the point the calendar reads December. The NFL ought to have prioritized this recreation earlier within the season to higher guarantee a premier occasion.
3. The earliest potential bye
The Chiefs can be off as quickly as fantasy homeowners have to begin being attentive to participant byes in Week 5. Over half of their remaining 13 consecutive weeks of soccer will characteristic video games in opposition to 2025 playoff groups. This contains each of final yr’s Tremendous Bowl groups — the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
Somebody needs to be scheduled for the bye first, however it appears significantly unlucky for the Chiefs. The crew will face questions all through the season about how they’re managing Mahomes. The Chiefs may also want getting old stars in defensive deal with Chris Jones and tight finish Travis Kelce to remain contemporary for a possible playoff run.
One other subject is that Kansas Metropolis can be relying on rookies to take important defensive snaps. Many first-year gamers really feel the grinding results of the NFL late within the yr — on the time their our bodies are accustomed to the season being over. The rookies will successfully play a complete school season following the off week, with the playoffs hopefully following.
Kansas Metropolis will doubtless spin the early bye as a optimistic. Maybe it’ll profit Mahomes to get an early week off after enjoying the season’s first month. The Chiefs may also have 10 days between their Week 13 recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams and their recreation in opposition to the Bengals.
There may also be a relaxation benefit in Week 6 over the Los Angeles Chargers, who will most likely be coming off of a bodily grueling recreation in opposition to the Broncos.
The crew will say the appropriate issues, however this squad may have benefited from a scheduled break later within the season.
Do you may have some other gripes in regards to the schedule? Tell us within the feedback.
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