Musings on the 2018 Kansas City Chiefs regular season schedule

With the regular season schedule out, Ellen Tolsma serves up her musings on the Kansas City Chiefs and some opponents who stand out as most interesting.

With the 2018-19 NFL schedules released, let’s take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs 2018 schedule. These aren’t predictions for games, but merely musings on what some of the games will mean for the Chiefs as they hope to take the AFC West for the third straight year, this time with a rookie quarterback leading the team.

Chiefs at Chargers

The Chiefs open the season on the road against the L.A. Chargers. This is a tough game for the Chiefs. It’s the season opener against a division rival that most experts are picking to win the division. The Chargers are coming off a year where they started slow but quickly picked up steam. Philip “Cry Me A” Rivers is aging, but when he can keep a handle on his emotions, he is a real threat. He has weapons all around him and the Chargers defense is solid.

I do like the Chiefs chances coming into this game. Andy Reid has done well against divisional opponents and he will be coming off an extended bye. We all know what happened last year when Andy Reid came off the offseason bye…

I really like this game being the opener. Reid knows the Chargers and will be able to coach up Mahomes and the offense. It also gives the defense, where there are a lot of question marks, the chance to go up against an offense that, when pressured, turns the ball over. This game could prove to be a real confidence boost for the Chiefs as they head into what I think is a pretty brutal first stretch.

Chiefs at Steelers

The Chiefs then travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Outside of the division, this might be the biggest rival the Chiefs have. There’s no need to drudge up the history with the Steelers, but let’s just say that I would like to see the Chiefs do here what they did in Gillette Stadium last year. Shock the world.

Unfortunately, the Steelers have always caused the Chiefs problems. They match up really well. I do think there is a difference this year. We have a different quarterback style. Smith was very good about protecting the ball but did not always make the dazzling throws we have seen glimpses of and have heard rumors of Mahomes throwing. There also seems to be a bigger emphasis on an air-raid type offense with the addition of Sammy Watkins and the continued growth and development of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

This game comes after a tough road game against the Chargers, but I think there is an opportunity to show the NFL that the Chiefs are for real.

49ers at Chiefs

The Chiefs home opener pits Jimmy Garoppolo against Patrick Mahomes. This is a game I am very much looking forward to. This will be the first regular season start at home for Mahomes, so the crowd is sure to be excited. The 49ers are projected to be good this year. The battle of the quarterbacks. I think this will be a very good game statistically for Mahomes.

Chiefs at Broncos

Division game number 2 of the season takes the Chiefs to Mile High. Primetime Monday Night Football against a Denver team led by Case Keenum. Denver’s defense is definitely getting old and I don’t believe that Keenum is the answer to Denver’s problems. Again, this is a divisional game so it will be tough, but I think the Chiefs pull this one out. They have been good against divisional opponents and good under the lights. I really think Denver is going through a rebuilding phase that will take longer than one or two offseasons.

Jaguars at Chiefs

The Jags travel to Kansas City for the next game of the season. Jacksonville really surprised everyone last year, and I think they will still be good this year. This is one game where I project Mahomes throws a high number of interceptions. Jacksonville’s defense was fantastic and could prey on our rookie. This game will be really fun to watch, but not for Chiefs fans. The turnovers will rule this game.

Chiefs at Patriots

The Chiefs are back under the lights to take on the Patriots at Gillette on Sunday night football. Do I think the Chiefs will repeat last year’s performance? No. Last year, the Chiefs had the benefit of coming off a “bye.” Teams are still figuring things out at the beginning of the season. By this point, I think the Patriots are rolling (I hate the Patriots). I think this game is close, but ultimately, the fact that the Patriots have a veteran quarterback will be the difference maker.

Chiefs at Browns

This is another game I think has the potential to be very interesting. John Dorsey will be up against his former team. I definitely don’t think the Browns will be great this year, but they won’t be winless. This is a game that actually scares me. Every year, the Chiefs lose to someone they shouldn’t. This could be that game.

Chiefs at Rams

This is the game everyone is talking about. Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib vs. Patrick Mahomes. I’m going to be completely honest when I say that this game scares me. The Rams are stout (at least on paper). I have very little doubt in my mind that there will be a pick six by the Rams if not two. This is a revenge game. Still, I’m excited. Bring on Mexico City! Bring on the primetime!

Chiefs at Raiders

The Raiders don’t scare me this year. I have always believed that Derek Carr is overrated. Gruden is going to try to take the Raiders back to the ’90s. That just won’t work. He is signing old players and I just don’t understand why. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong, but I see the Raiders vying for 4th in the AFC West this year.

Chargers at Chiefs

I believe this will be one of the most important games of the season. The Chargers and Chiefs will be fighting it out for 1st in the AFC West. I love that this game is at Arrowhead because Rivers tends to get emotional when things don’t go his way. This game will be the decider for the AFC West and when push comes to shove, I want the decider to be at home.

Final Thoughts

I’m the eternal optimist, so I really believe that the Chiefs can take the AFC West for the third straight season. I like the schedule. It’s tough right off the bat, but gives way to some “easier” games. If the Chiefs can make it through the first 4 games of the season with a 3-1 record, I think they take the AFC West.

Of course, this all hinges on the play of Mahomes. If he really is the superstar that all the players and coaches say he is, then hold on to your hats Chiefs fans, because this will be fun. Regardless, it makes me sad that the season is so far away. I guess we can all sit back and enjoy the draft this week and hope that Veach fills the holes that remain (*cough* defense).