Breaking down the AFC West schedules to predict final standings

The Kansas City Chiefs schedule is loaded with anticipated matchups and includes five primetime games, with a high likelihood of one more game being flexed into primetime. Here’s what the full season schedule looks like (all times Central Time):

• Week 1 – Sunday, Sept. 8 – Chiefs @ Jaguars – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 2 – Sunday, Sept. 15 – Chiefs @ Raiders – 3:05 p.m.
• Week 3 – Sunday, Sept 22 – Ravens @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 4 – Sunday, Sept. 29 – Chiefs @ Lions – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 5 – Sunday, Oct. 6 – Colts @ Chiefs** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 6 – Sunday, Oct. 13 – Texans @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 7 – Thursday, October 17 – Chiefs @ Broncos*** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 8 – Sunday, Oct. 27 – Packers @ Chiefs** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 9 – Sunday, Nov. 3 – Vikings @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 10 – Sunday, Nov. 10 – Chiefs @ Titans – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 11 – Monday, Nov. 18 – Chiefs @ Chargers (Mexico City)* – 7:15 p.m.
• Week 12 – BYE WEEK
• Week 13 – Sunday, Dec. 1 – Raiders @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 14 – Sunday, Dec. 8 – Chiefs @ Patriots – 3:25 p.m.
• Week 15 – Sunday, Dec. 15 – Broncos @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
• Week 16 – Sunday, Dec. 22 – Chiefs @ Bears** – 7:20 p.m.
• Week 17 – Sunday, Dec. 29 – Chargers @ Chiefs – 12:00 p.m.
  * = Monday Night Football     ** = Sunday Night Football
  *** = Thursday Night Football

One of the more anticipated matchups is the Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, which will be a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional playoff game. Speaking of the playoffs, another highly anticipated game will be when the Chiefs travel to Foxborough for the third year straight to take on the New England Patriots for an AFC Championship rematch.

Outside of playoff matchups, the Chiefs game against the division rival Chargers will be a thriller in Mexico City. Falling later in the season, the fight for top spot in the AFC West will be in full swing, raising the game’s stakes. Considering that the Chiefs have room for one more game to be flexed to primetime, it wouldn’t be surprising if the NFL used that option on the Week 17 rematch against L.A., especially if divisional implications were on the line.

Another anticipated game the Chiefs will face on this loaded schedule will be the Week 16 Sunday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears. It will not only feature two 2017 draft class quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Mitchell Trubisky, but also Andy Reid and Matt Nagy. A classic mentor vs protégé matchup, this will be the first time outside of preseason we get to see Andy Reid play Matt Nagy, who previously served as offensive coordinator for Reid and the Chiefs.

Despite the tough schedule, with Patrick Mahomes the Chiefs can win any game. My prediction based on this Chiefs schedule is that they will go 13-3, with those losses coming to the Broncos, Patriots, and Bears.