KC Chiefs Face League’s Third Toughest Schedule In 2011

The Kansas City Chiefs made quick turnaround in 2010 thanks to improvements in personnel and a soft schedule, however in 2011, they won’t have the NFL’s weaker teams to pick on.

After having the leagues easiest schedule in 2010 the Chiefs will have the third highest strength of schedule entering the 2011 season. Only the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers will have it tougher. The Chiefs share the third highest strength of schedule with the Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The SOS heading into the season, however, is not always an indication of how difficult a team’s schedule will be. For instance, the Chiefs entered the season ranked 23rd in strength of schedule but finished with the 32nd thanks to drop offs in play by teams like the San Diego Chargers, San Fransisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.

The lesson here is that you can never tell how a team is going to perform from one year to the next in the NFL. Still, while there may be some drop off, the Chiefs will most certainly face a more difficult road than they did in 2010 and the only way they will be able to navigate that road is to improve and build upon what the did this year.

The full strength of schedule for the 2011 season is after the jump.