Chiefs 2012 Schedule: The Early Prediction
With the release of the Kansas City Chiefs schedule yesterday, I thought it would be fun to throw out a pre-draft prediction of how things are going to turn out. This will, of course, be adjusted once we see the draft and again once the final 53-man roster is set.
But hell, we’ve still got a log way to go until September so let’s give it a shot!
Week 1: 9/9, Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET (1-0)
Remember how last year the Chiefs were utterly unprepared for their first game against the Buffalo Bills? Remember how they got slapped around and embarrassed in front of their home fans?
I don’t think that is going to happen this year. I think Romeo Crennel is going to have this team ready to play out of the gate and I think the Atlanta Falcons are going to be shocked at how good they are.
Chiefs win a big one early 24-20
Week 2: 9/16, @ Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET (2-0)
Remember how last year the Chiefs were utterly unprepared for their first game against the Buffalo Bills? Remember how they got slapped around and embarrassed in front of their home fans? Remember when Stevie Johnson flung himself in front of Eric Berry and ended his season?
The Chiefs are going to remember, too. They’re really going to want this one.
And they’re going to get it.
Chiefs whip some ass 31-20
Week 3: 9/23, @ New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET (3-0)
Can the Chiefs really go on the road and beat Drew Brees and the Saints?
I don’t know but I do know that Romeo Crennel knows something about stopping offenses that toss the ball around a lot. I also know that the Chiefs are going to have a very strong running game again in 2012, which only helps Crennel’s defense by controlling the game.
The Chiefs enter high on confidence and they leave with their second upset of the season.
Chiefs 21, Saints 17.
Week 4: 9/30, San Diego Chargers, 1 p.m. ET (4-0)
If you’ve been reading this blog long enough you know I’m no homer. So why am I predicting a 4-0 start for the Chiefs?
Because I think they have a chance to be special in 2012.
They handled the Chargers at Arrowhead last year and this year they’ll have a lot more offensive fire power. Plus, Romeo loves making Philip Rivers miserable.
Chiefs 17, Chargers 16
Week 5: 10/7, Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET (4-1)
All good things must come to an end and so the Chiefs’ surprising winning streak to start the season ends at Arrowhead when the Ravens come to town. Baltimore is just a tough draw for the Chiefs and I can see the offense struggling in this one. They won’t get blown out but after a hard-fought win over the Chargers, the Chiefs won’t be ready for the physical Ravens.
Ravens 24, Chiefs 10
Week 6: 10/14, @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET (4-2)
You know how every year there is a game the Chiefs lose that they absolutely should have won and a game they win that they had no business winning?
This is the former.
Bucs 16, Chiefs 13 in OT
Week 7: BYE
The Chiefs head to their BYE week with some questions. Matt Cassel is coming off two poor games. Teams have figured out what KC was doing early on offense and they’ve made moves to stop it. Daboll makes some changes during the off week to keep opponents on their heels.
Week 8: 10/28, Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET (5-2)
The boys in red get things back on track by taking down a Raiders team reeling from an offseason where they lost a lot of talent. This one will be close for a while but the Chiefs will pull away in the end.
Chiefs 27, Faiders 16
Week 9: 11/1, @ San Diego Chargers, 8:20 p.m. ET (5-3)
It is tough to sweep a good team in your division and after two years of losing to the Chiefs at Arrowhead in primetime, the Chargers finally get revenge on their turf. A late Matt Cassel interception seals it for the Chargers.
Dolts 19, Chiefs 13
Week 10: 11/12, @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30 p.m. ET (6-3)
It’s the Haley Revenge Bowl on Monday Night Football. The night after my wedding, I piss off my new wife for the first time (as her husband) by suspending all honeymoon activities to watch the Chiefs beat Pittsburgh.
And they will.
Chiefs 24, Steelers 16
Week 11: 11/18, Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET (7-3)
The good times express keeps on rolling as the Chiefs return home and take care of the Bengals on a short week. This one will be closer than you’d like though. And ugly.
Chiefs 13, Bengals 10
Week 12: 11/25, Denver Broncos, 1 p.m. ET (8-3)
When Peyton Manning arrives at Arrowhead, the tag on his luggage will say “Property of R. Crennel.”
Chiefs 21, Broncos 10
Week 13: 12/2, Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET (8-4)
Cam Newton and a revived Panthers running game gives Romeo’s bend but don’t break style of defense fits. Unlike Tebow, Newton has the arm to keep the Chiefs honest.
Panthers 31, Chiefs 27
Week 14: 12/9, @ Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET (9-4)
Don’t worry, the Chiefs will be good this year. They chalk up a win in Cleveland.
Chiefs 19, Browns 9
Week 15: 12/16, @ Oakland Raiders, 4:15 p.m. ET (9-5)
The Chiefs are closing in on the AFC West crown and as they are want to do, the Raiders screw it up for them. Oakland is getting its groove back late in the season and they snakebite the Chiefs again.
Raiders 21, Chiefs 13
Week 16: 12/23, Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET (10-5)
The Chiefs return home and clinch the division by winning their 11th game against Andrew Luck and a woeful Colts team. The kid may be great one day but Luck isn’t ready for Romeo.
Chiefs 27, Colts 13
Week 17: 12/30, @ Denver Broncos, 4:15 p.m. ET (10-6)
The Chiefs already have the Mediocre, Mediocre West wrapped up by the time they arrive in Denver. The Raiders are bad and the Broncos and Chargers are hovering around the 8 win range.
KC has their playoff seeding locked up as well. KC will be playing Wild Card Weekend so Romeo rests his starters and Manning is old but good enough to beat a KC defense that has Brandon Flowers and Tamba Hali on the sidelines.
Brady Quinn fails to exact his revenge.
Broncos 27, Chiefs 16
There you have it. The Chiefs win the West at 10-6 and do it by beating some really good teams. The Broncos and Chargers have tougher schedules and I have a feeling the Raiders won’t contend this year.
This is my early pass at the schedule. What say ye, Addicts?