Within the wake of the NFL Draft and free company, that is peak optimism time for all soccer followers — taking a look at their crew’s up to date roster and seeing the best-case state of affairs for the brand new group. So when the NFL releases the complete regular-season schedule, no crew is projected to have a shedding document, not less than in line with its followers.
There may be (very current) historical past to go off of when projecting the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to return to the elite class of the AFC, given the franchise had gained the convention three consecutive seasons previous to 2025 with lots of the similar items that fueled that run.
Presently, the Chiefs are tied with the Chargers for the third-lowest odds (+1600) amongst AFC groups to win the Tremendous Bowl this upcoming season, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Now, there may be solely anticipation for what the bounce-back alternative appears like. So let’s quick ahead to September and predict how every of the Chiefs’ 2026 video games will go:
Week 1: vs. Denver Broncos
Monday, September 14, 7:15 p.m. ESPN/ABC
It might be sacrilegious of me to not imagine in a recent, hungry Arrowhead Stadium being an unbeatable X-factor on this setting, however I additionally strongly imagine in Reid’s means to reinvent himself.
That was clearly set in movement this offseason, and looking out again at 2013, 2018, and even 2022 following the commerce of All-Professional large receiver Tyreek Hill, the recent tackle his offense has seemingly at all times coincided with a scorching begin to the 12 months, probably as a result of it’s much less predictable.
Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, September 20, 7:20 p.m. NBC
Learn the primary line of the earlier blurb.
Week 3: at Miami Dolphins
Sunday, September 27, 12:00 p.m. CBS
This can be a good time to catch a crew that really flipped the group on its head and shook out all its unfastened change this offseason. The Chiefs haven’t any motive to lose this sport.
Week 4: at Las Vegas Raiders
Sunday, October 4, 3:25 p.m. CBS
With a theme much like the projected win in Miami, there could possibly be vivid spots for the Raiders this 12 months, free from the dead-end period beneath head coach Pete Carroll — however this early within the season, Kansas Metropolis must flex the skilled, veteran muscular tissues and begin the season with a 2-0 document within the division.
Week 6: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, October 18, 3:25 p.m. CBS
I doubt lots of the veteran Chiefs gamers might be proud of the early relaxation, however nonetheless, it provides Kansas Metropolis soe type of benefit within the first matchup with a attainable contender for the division title.
That mentioned, there’s at all times an October dwelling loss that defies logic and produces some gray hairs, and this feels just like the candy spot for it.
Week 7: at Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, October 25, 7:20 p.m. NBC
The primary of two West Coast street journeys might be a enjoyable matchup, and hopefully Chiefs’ working again Kenneth Walker is in midseason type for his revenge sport. I imagine Seattle might regress nearer to the pack after successful the Tremendous Bowl, and this sport might be a degree of proof.
Sunday, November 1, 3:25 p.m. CBS
Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton might be prepared for the rematch, one that might outline Denver’s season given the expected 0-1 begin and a tricky lineup of early-season opponents. This makes two AFC West losses in three weeks, splitting the season sequence with Denver with 10 weeks nonetheless to play.
Week 9: vs. New York Jets
Sunday, November 8, 12:00 p.m. CBS
There’s not a lot to worry concerning the Jets of their present state, primarily as a result of the quarterback place is bleak. It’s a tricky spot for them to match the power of a contender coming off a division loss, so this can be a easy bounceback alternative to make the most of.
Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, November 15, 12:00 p.m. CBS
Whereas I respect the Falcons’ rent of head coach Kevin Stefanski, I see the Chiefs staying targeted by the lure alternative and keep away from a left-handed upset by the hands of Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix.
Week 11: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, November 22, 12:00 p.m. CBS
That is the true “trap game,” with a brief week to arrange for Thanksgiving night time following it, and I’ll have fallen for the lure if it was every other opponent.
Week 12: at Buffalo Payments
Thursday, November 26, 7:20 p.m. NBC
At this level within the season, it’s exhausting to think about both crew could be holding something again with solely a lot time to make up for a loss within the standings. I don’t see this setting being one which conjures up change from the standard routine on this AFC matchup.
Week 13: at Los Angeles Rams
Thursday, December 3, 7:15 p.m. Amazon Prime
With simply the usual seven days to rebound from Thanksgiving, I see the Chiefs doing simply that in a matchup that feels extra like a celebration of soccer’s offensive evolution than it does an intense battle. The scheme benefit could nearly definitely be with the fashionable Rams offense, but it surely looks like the best time for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to show that solely issues a lot.
Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, December 13, 3:25 p.m. CBS
The Bengals would like to play spoiler to a the Chiefs’ hopes at homefield benefit, and positively could possibly be overtaking it for themselves on this state of affairs. Nevertheless, that’s fairly a projection, contemplating this crew hasn’t confirmed to be a contender in years. This might be a fierce matchup regardless, one that may put together each for the playoffs and was positively missed final season.
Week 15: vs. New England Patriots
Monday, December 21, 7:15 PM, ESPN/ABC
This “Monday Night Football” matchup in Arrowhead will at all times deliver again recollections of the 2014 beatdown of Tom Brady. An analogous beatdown looks like a stretch to counsel, however there may be motive to imagine the Patriots will regress like many Tremendous Bowl losers do the next 12 months. I wouldn’t be stunned if New England was able to be eradicated from playoff competition with a loss right here.
Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, December 27, 3:25 p.m. CBS
It’s simple to see how there could possibly be far more dangerous blood on one facet of this interconference contest than the opposite, the one who emerged victorious in each Tremendous Bowl LIV and LVIII. These wounds are nonetheless recent, and could possibly be an X-factor amid a playoff push I assume San Francisco might be making.
This is also a look-ahead spot for the division-leading Chiefs to a sport that might probably determine the AFC West.
I do see a path to the Chargers being a contender for the AFC West up till the very finish, so in traditional Chiefs trend, Los Angeles’ hopes for such a dream might be dashed when Kansas Metropolis wins the late-season matchup that in the end issues far more than the Week 6 version.
With 4 losses, there’s a robust risk that the highest seed within the AFC remains to be inside attain for the Chiefs, and it’ll most probably take beating Las Vegas within the season finale at Arrowhead. This could possibly be an superior alternative for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza to start his villain arc within the lore of this rivalry… however I see Kansas Metropolis saying “maybe next year” whereas retaining momentum forward of a postseason run.
There may be little doubt in my head (or perhaps it’s my coronary heart) that the re-tooling executed to the Chiefs’ roster, teaching employees and probably scheme will set Kansas Metropolis as much as begin out robust, staying forward of the curve by working the offense in a different way than earlier than, and retaining a gradual hand by the hardest elements of the schedule to as soon as once more maintain one of many NFL’s greatest win-loss data.
The bye week truly feels a bit deflating, as do the 2 street video games in opposition to rebuilding organizations main into it. That’s the place the lull comes from within the first lack of the season to Los Angeles, however the brand new power and messaging from the teaching employees can completely make a distinction in avoiding the snowball impact from it.
There have been occasions over the past three seasons beneath offensive coordinator Matt Nagy that lulls become weeks-long stretches of ineffectiveness. If that continues to occur, final season will not be an outlier, however there’s a motive Reid determined to deliver again offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Whereas the “accountability” is recent, it might very properly be a motive Mahomes and the offense’s rhythm discover stronger consistency shifting ahead.
What’s your early prediction for the Chiefs document in 2026?
With a day to overview the complete 17-game slate forward for the Chiefs, what document sounds about proper?
As a assured fan of the NFL’s trendy dynasty that simply so occurs to be my favourite crew, 13-4 was my reply. What’s yours?
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Shedding Record9-8 / 10-711-6 / 12-513-4+ (and AFC West champs)Rec 0CommentsThin Stroke Remark Icon BubbleReplyRead 3 replies
