In a 16-game NFL season, every game can prove to be important. The way I see it, this year there are five games that are more important than the rest. So lets start this off with an obvious choice.
#5 Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium
Every fiber of my being wants to call this the most important game for the Chiefs this year, but I have to be rational. Realistically, the Chiefs could lose this game and still win the division and make the playoffs. It’s nice having it so early in the season. It makes a win great and momentum-building. And a loss is something that the team can shake off and get over. What makes this game so important is it gives Kansas City the best chance to finally beat the Broncos led by Peyton Manning. Ultimately, that is about it. A loss in Week 2 at home to the Broncos on primetime would sting but is by no means the end of the season.
#4 Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium
After last season’s loss to the Steelers, which lead to the eventual elimination from the playoffs, a win against that same team could be a huge midseason boost. When teams go into the second half of the season with a little confidence and momentum, they can really make some noise. This game could also have potential wild card ramifications. A win here would give the Chiefs a leg up over the Steelers if both teams were playing for wild card positions late in the season.
#3 At Houston Texans
There are a few different reasons why this is the third-most important game of the season for the Chiefs. After watching the Chiefs struggle in the opener last season against the Tennessee Titans, I realize how important a Week 1 matchup can be. If the Chiefs can travel to Texas and get a win over a quality team, that could set the tone for the rest of the season. I am also worried about the adverse affects of losing this game. The Chiefs bounced back after losing their first two games last year and were in playoff contention, but if this team is just in playoff contention this year then something needs to change.
A great way to avoid that is to walk into Texas and leave with a W. Assuming the Indianapolis Colts don’t take a step back this year they should win the AFC South. Making the wild card is the only hope for the Texans to get into the playoffs. And since it is entirely possible for the Broncos to win the division, Kansas City may be playing for a wild card spot. So any win over a team that is fighting for the same wild card spot as you can’t hurt.
#2 San Diego Chargers
I know this is kind of cheating by having two games in one slot, but I don’t think one game is more important than the other in this series. Winning both games and sweeping the Chargers would be huge in the Chiefs push for an AFC West crown. I don’t think it is realistic to think that they could win the division without sweeping the Chargers and Raiders. Therefore, both games get put at number two on my list. Also, the Chargers are a pretty good team and probably will be playing for a wild card position.
**Before I give you the most important game of the season, here are the games that just missed the cut. The first one being against the Ravens in Baltimore. This could also be a potential wild card matchup, but given the disappointment last year with the Steelers I gave them the nod over the Ravens. The other game on my shortlist is when Buffalo comes to Arrowhead. Buffalo has put together a solid defense and is definitely a team to be feared. I don’t think the Bills are ready to unseat the Patriots in the AFC East, but they should be playing for a wild card spot. In fact if I didn’t not like the Broncos so much I would probably have them on this list.**
#1 At Denver Broncos
Bear with me on this one folks, there are a lot of ifs involved. If the Chiefs can beat the Broncos in Week 2, then this game is a little less important. Don’t let that fool you, though, it remains an important game and could be pivotal in the race for the division. If the Chiefs lose Week 2, then this becomes a must-win if the Chiefs want any shot at the AFC West crown at the end of the season. Assuming of course that both the Broncos and Chiefs take care of business against the Chargers and Raiders.