The 2020 schedule for the Kansas City Chiefs can now be formulated—at least the opponents known—so let’s take a look at what’s in store.
Now that the 2019 regular season has nearly come to a close, the crystal ball is making clear the opponents we can expect to see facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020.
A quick look at the list of opponents—both those set to visit Arrowhead Stadium and those set to host the Chiefs—reveals a few very challenging matchups with some very winnable games as well.
That said, it’s important to remember just how much can change between now and the start of the next regular season. On Sunday night, the Chiefs dominated the Chicago Bears by 23 points in a primetime win on the road at Soldier Field. One year ago, that very contest looked like it might be the single toughest matchup on the schedule. From year to year, it’s just hard to tell.
However that won’t stop us from trying to at least look at the schedule in a very preliminary way and make some notes about what to expect and how the matchup looks from here, in the very distant past toward a very hazy future.
HOME OPPONENTS FOR 2020
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are a difficult team to figure out, at least from here. Remember, every year we see a team or two make a major leap forward after suffering through a tough season the year before. The Falcons seem likely to be one such team as they look destined to make major leadership changes to the coaching staff and front office.
What’s scary about hosting the Falcons is that the offense is never in question with the presence of Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones among others. If the team can get healthy, make some solid investments to bolster the lines, and recapture their offensive magic, this was a team that went to the Super Bowl as recently as 2016.
Some pieces are here for someone to do something special with, if they can get the hire correct. The Chiefs are head of them in terms of organizational success here, but the Falcons cannot be overlooked.
Carolina Panthers
Ron Rivera has already been fired as head coach. Cam Newton could be traded. In other words, the Carolina Panthers could be a completely different team in just a few months from now.
What’s in place for a new coach and quarterback is a very impressive array of weapons ranging from wide receiver D.J. Moore, who should have made the Pro Bowl, MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey, and emerging wideout Curtis Samuel. The right combination of leadership and signal caller here could equal quick success for the Panthers who have only five wins so far in 2019.
Once again, the Chiefs are further down the road as an organization, but the Panthers are a more likely upset candidate than even Atlanta if the right choices are made.
Denver Broncos
Denver has to feel good about heading into an offseason with the primary questions being about positions other than quarterback. Drew Lock will benefit greatly from being anointed as the starting option heading into next season so he can put in the requisite physical and mental work it takes to succeed in the NFL.
Lock has looked the part against teams so far, save for the Chiefs, and that’s where this exercise gets frustrating for Denver fans. While Lock enjoyed some instant success as a freshman earlier this month, the Chiefs made easy work of Vic Fangio in both matchups. Until he can show he’s not overwhelmed, the Chiefs shouldn’t worry too much about Denver in 2020.
Houston Texans
This game is going to be trouble for the Chiefs. Houston already won their matchup this season (also at Arrowhead) and they’re going to be a tough out as long as they employ names like J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins.
This year, the Chiefs jumped out to a 17-3 lead, but Mahomes and company sputtered most of the rest of the way as the Texans came roaring back for a final 31-24 win. If they can stay healthy, the Texans are going to give the Chiefs fits yet again in 2020. It will be exciting to see another matchup of Mahomes and Watson.