The NFL schedule launch is nearly right here, and even coming off the worst season of the period that includes quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are nonetheless going to dominate the nationwide highlight.
That’s what occurs whenever you nonetheless have Mahomes, tight finish Travis Kelce, defensive deal with Chris Jones, and Reid connected to your franchise.
Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas Metropolis can nonetheless be anticipated to contend for the Tremendous Bowl heading into 2026. The league is aware of viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the sector. The truth is straightforward: the Chiefs stay must-see tv.
With that being mentioned, not each matchup deserves the primetime therapy.
Because the NFL prepares to unveil its schedule Thursday, listed below are 4 video games that completely mustn’t land in primetime for the Chiefs this season.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 10: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs catches a go for a landing throughout the 2nd half of the sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2022 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Picture by Jason Hanna/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
Sure, the rivalry issues traditionally.
Sure, the Raiders now have the No. 1 total choose, coming off a nationwide championship and a Heisman-winning season by quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
And sure, it’s simple to image schedule makers convincing themselves that “Mahomes vs. the next big thing” seems like compelling tv.
However let’s be trustworthy right here: the Raiders are nonetheless a great distance from being respectable contenders.
Even when the group insists Mendoza received’t begin instantly, it’s arduous to think about that holding by way of the center of the season if Las Vegas is sitting close to the underside of the AFC West but once more. Sooner or later, the rookie might be going to play.
The NFL might even see that as intrigue, however this rivalry merely doesn’t carry the identical weight it as soon as did. The matchup feels way more like a regional afternoon sport than a standalone nationwide showcase.
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 11: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs throws a go throughout the second quarter of the age towards the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Picture by Peter Aiken/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
There’s simply nothing about this matchup that screams must-watch tv.
The Cardinals stay one of many league’s extra directionless franchises, and even the presence of Mahomes isn’t sufficient to raise this right into a compelling standalone sport.
This ought to be a type of clear, easy, midday kickoffs the place the Chiefs deal with enterprise and transfer on.
Particularly with the sport in Kansas Metropolis, there’s little motive for the NFL to pressure this onto a nationwide stage when there are way more intriguing matchups out there throughout the schedule.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 01: Tight finish Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs is tackled by cornerback Pierre Desir #35 of the New York Jets after making a catch throughout their NFL sport at Arrowhead Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Picture by Jamie Squire/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
The Jets had a powerful draft. There’s expertise on the roster. Defensively, there are items to love — however till the quarterback state of affairs modifications, this nonetheless doesn’t really feel like a marquee matchup.
No one is circling Geno Smith versus Mahomes as one of many defining video games of the season.
The Chiefs have already got sufficient high-level opponents on the schedule to fill the primetime slate. Kansas Metropolis versus the Jets feels way more like a sport followers casually flip to on a Sunday afternoon slightly than one they plan their complete night time round.
Get in. Get out. Transfer on.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 13: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in motion towards the Miami Dolphins at Onerous Rock Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Picture by Mark Brown/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
A couple of years in the past, this could’ve completely been a primetime matchup.
The Dolphins are coming into what seems like a transitional section offensively. The additions of Malik Willis at quarterback and a powerful operating sport could make them aggressive at instances, however the explosive identification that when made Miami harmful seems to be fading.
With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle not main the offense, this merely doesn’t carry the identical electrical energy it as soon as did.
There’s no query the Dolphins nonetheless have some proficient gamers. However as presently constructed, this doesn’t really feel like a sport worthy of a nationwide standalone window.
Kansas Metropolis has higher matchups.
Honorable point out: Atlanta Falcons on the street
The Falcons had been shut to creating the official record.
There’s sufficient expertise there to turn out to be attention-grabbing finally, nevertheless it nonetheless doesn’t fairly really feel like a matchup that calls for the primetime stage — not less than not but.
The Chiefs are nonetheless going to reside in primetime as a result of Mahomes ensures eyeballs. That half isn’t altering anytime quickly.
However the NFL schedule works greatest when primetime video games truly really feel massive.
Kansas Metropolis has a number of matchups this season that deserve the nationwide highlight. These 4 merely don’t really feel like they belong in that class.
