The 2016 Kansas City Chiefs schedule has finally been released.
We’ve known since the last week of the NFL season which teams the Chiefs would face, but what we did not know were the details, like times, primetime matchups, and the order of the opponents. Now, thankfully, we can all start planning our trips to Arrowhead.
Let’s get into breaking down my initial thoughts on the 2016 lineup.
1. The NFL schedule-makers disrespected the Chiefs
Let’s get this out of the way from the start; the Chiefs got jobbed on the primetime schedule. There is just no getting around it. Despite finishing 11-5 in 2015, winning a playoff game and turning in its third consecutive winning season, the Chiefs were awarded with exactly zero appearances on Monday Night Football.
KC did get the compulsory Thursday night game and two Sunday night games. The first Sunday night game is early in the season vs. the Steelers in Pittsburg. Not at Arrowhead, a bummer, but a legit primetime game against an AFC heavyweight.
The second Sunday night game is against the Broncos on freaking Christmas Day. This game comes in Week 16 so if the NFL decides the Broncos are a horror show with Mark Sanchez leading the team, the game could very well get flexed out of that slot so we can be forced to watch Washington or the Jets again, no matter how miserable they are.
I get it, kind of. The Chiefs offense isn’t exactly high-flying. KC is also not playing the sexiest schedule in the NFL. Still, the team has games against the Panthers that easily could have been on MNF. Instead, it is on a Sunday at noon.
Ok, enough griping.
Wait, one more thing. On Dec. 26, we’re gonna be forced to watch the bloody Lions and Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Yes, two of the most horrendous teams of the 2015 season are getting MNF games and the Chiefs aren’t.
2. The schedule is 10,000 times better than last year’s
The Chiefs barely played a game at Arrowhead prior to Thanksgiving in 2015. This year, the NFL got the Chiefs back by giving them an even, fair schedule layout. The Chiefs open at home against the Chargers and then head on the road to take on the Texans, a team they beat twice last season. In fact, the Chiefs only have back-to-back road games twice all season, however, one of those comes with the Bye Week in between so the team will at least have a chance to rest. The other is at the end of November when the Chiefs play the Broncos and then Falcons in consecutive road games.
Finally, KC gets three straight home games (Raiders, Titans, Broncos) Weeks 14-16. The Raiders tilt, unfortunately, comes on a short week. That game could be crucial to the AFC West race, as the Raiders look much improved.
Still, not many gripes here for KC.
3. The schedule is crazy easy…on paper
We know no schedule is easy in the NFL and last year’s doormats are this year’s playoff teams. That said, on paper, this is a great schedule for the Chiefs. Based off of last year’s performances, the Chiefs can certainly compete with and defeat the Jets, Raiders, Chargers, Texans, Saints, Bucs, Jaguars, Broncos, Falcons and Titans. Of course, they likely WON’T beat all of these teams but we know they probably can.
The two toughest games on the schedule are clearly @Pittsburg and @Carolina. @Oakland and @Denver could be tough as well, so long as Denver’s defense continues to play at a high level. Playing the Colts on their turf could also be tricky if Andrew Luck returns to form.
That said, I think most Chiefs fans like how the schedule looks right now.
4. Games on Christmas and New Year’s Day
Depending on how you like to spend your holidays, this is either a good thing or a bad thing. The good news is that the Christmas Day game is on Sunday Night Football, so if football is allowed to be on the TV at your celebration (if you celebrate Christmas), then the Chiefs will be the only game in town.
5. Chiefs @ Steelers is huge
The Chiefs are very good. If Andy Reid can actually get the team to come out of the gates prepared this season, KC should be 3-0 going into its Week 4 matchup against the Steelers on SNF. This will be a great chance for the Chiefs to earn some respect on a national stage by whipping on a team many may pick to win the AFC. A win and strong performance here could also get the Chiefs @ Panthers game later in the season flexed into primetime.
I’d love to see that.
Ok, Addicts. Those are my quick schedule thoughts. What are yours?