KC Chiefs Schedule 2023: Game-by-game predictions for upcoming season
By Matt Conner
Another year, another tough regular-season schedule for the Kansas City Chiefs.
There’s no way around the predictable elements of the Chiefs’ schedule these days given the team’s sustained success: the burdensome list of opponents, the lack of any real rhythm, and the number of primetime appearances. When a team wins seven division titles in a row, hosts the conference championship for a half-decade straight, and wins two championships in four seasons, it can expect to serve as the outlier in many ways for the sport.
What does that mean for the Chiefs in 2023? More of the same, to be honest. The Chiefs face a slew of punishing opponents in 2023, especially on the home slate, but they can also expect lesser talented teams to also attempt to rise to the occasion when K.C. is on deck. The Chiefs are also all over primetime as a ratings bonanza for the NFL’s broadcast partners. Consequently, the Chiefs are jumping from Thursday to Monday, from a long week to a short week, again and again—all in the name of prized matchups.
All of this should be okay for the Chiefs. After all, it’s the same sort of hurdles they face most seasons, especially since Patrick Mahomes landed in K.C. Let’s look at this year’s schedule now that it’s been revealed to give our early round of prediction as to how the season might fare.
WEEK 1, Sept. 7 (Thursday) – vs. Detroit Lions
Things are looking up in the Motor City. Last year, the Lions finished with a winning record for the first time in five seasons and had only the second positive point differential for an entire season since 2015. Say what you want about Jared Goff, but it’s clear the Lions are well-coached, play opponents tough for 60 full minutes, and believe they’re going places despite their tired history.
This is going to be a serious test for the Chiefs as the Lions will be anxious to prove they can run with the big dogs now that the schedule is tougher. The run defense for Kansas City will be tested and fans will likely complain about the results in that department, win or lose, especially after Detroit completely renovated the running backs room with the acquisitions of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
These games, however, should come down to the pure talent differential at quarterback and this one is quite lopsided. For the Lions, however, even a strong showing in Arrowhead would do wonders for morale.
Prediction: Chiefs 22, Lions 16