Chiefs game-by-game early 2019 schedule predictions
By Jalon Dodson
Now that the 2019 regular season schedule is out for the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s time to look at each game to see how the year could play out.
Notwithstanding the upcoming NFL Draft, one of the most anticipated moments of the National Football League’s offseason came and went on Wednesday with the release of the regular season schedule. As for the Kansas City Chiefs, the schedule has some highs and lows.
Judging purely by the strength of schedule based on the win/loss totals of last year, the Chiefs have the 6th-hardest schedule in the league (.520).
Let’s take a closer look at the overall schedule and predict the game by game results to see how the season could play out in Kansas City.
Week 1: AT Jacksonville Jaguars, 12:00 PM Central, September 8th
Prediction: KC 38, JAX 17
The Chiefs will open their season against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, a team that went 5-11 in 2018. The Jaguars will now be at quarterback Nick Foles‘ behest, who signed with them earlier in the offseason. Foles has a history with the Chiefs and head coach Andy Reid, who coached Foles both with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chiefs.
What was once a vaunted Jaguars defense struggled last season (although they did hold Patrick Mahomes without a passing touchdown), there’s little reason to expect them to mimic the performance (or to fear Foles in Jacksonville). The defense for the Chiefs will likely still be working out the kinks, but that will not phase defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, whose unit should help lead the Chiefs to a decisive victory.
Week 2: AT Oakland Raiders, 3:05 PM Central, September 15th
Prediction: KC 42, OAK 21
In its second regular season game, the Chiefs will face off against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have three first round draft picks in the upcoming draft, all of which will add some serious talent to the team—not including several other draft picks which will help bolster this thin roster.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown, who was traded to the Raiders earlier in the offseason, will help quarterback Derek Carr and the Oakland offense perform better in 2019, but this team is unable to keep up with such a high-flying Chiefs offense. They will be able to score three touchdowns in this prediction, but one of those would likely be in garbage time.
Week 3: VS Baltimore Ravens, 12:00 PM Central, September 22nd
Prediction: KC 31, BAL 14
Head coach Andy Reid has a good track record in the first half of his seasons with the Chiefs. This game shouldn’t put any early season blemish in the standings, as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will be unable to keep up with an entirely new Chiefs defense. Even with the loss of talent (Terrell Suggs, C.J. Mosley, Eric Weddle), the Ravens’ defense should not be underestimated, but even then, they will be no match for Mahomes and this exceptional offensive group.
Week 4: AT Detroit Lions, 12:00 PM Central, September 29th
Prediction: KC 35, DET 6
Unless the Lions draft quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s replacement, the veteran will not be able to keep up with the Chiefs in any fashion. Detroit had one of the NFL’s least efficient offenses in 2018, ranking 25th in net yards per passing attempt and 27th in rushing yards/carry. The defense for the Chiefs will either make or break games this season, but facing the Lions offense won’t lead to the latter.