KC Chiefs Schedule 2023: Game-by-game predictions for upcoming season

WEEK 16, Dec. 25 (Monday) – vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Let’s be candid: we’re not entirely sure what the Las Vegas Raiders are doing these days. That statement has been oft-applied over the years for a franchise that’s changed cities several times, ruined head coaches, fidgeted with general managers, and fumbled complete draft classes, but even this current edition of Raiders’ leadership is making us scratch our heads, despite the fact that they’re at least better at drafting than their predecessors.

In no world is a swap of Derek Carr for Jimmy Garoppolo an upgrade—let alone a major one—and certainly not in a division and conference dominated by the game’s best quarterbacks. At the very least, several other also-rans at least took attempts to add themselves to that conversation this spring, but the Raiders went retread and will pay the price for it all the same. After all, we stopped believing in any sort of McDaniels Magic a long, long time ago.

The Raiders have three wins in their last 19 games against the Chiefs and we’re guessing another win isn’t coming at Arrowhead anytime soon. Silver and black describe the coal in the Raiders’ stockings.

Prediction: Chiefs 35, Raiders 15

WEEK 17, Dec. 31 (Sunday) – vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Feel free to flip a coin on this one. It’s totally understandable if you predict this as a loss for the Chiefs ahead of time. But the fact that the Chiefs finally got the best of the Bengals last time out by relying on their defense to finally solve Joe Burrow and company in the wake of several injuries when the stakes were so high has me confident in the Chiefs’ ability to keep Cincy at bay going forward.

Remember this: the last time these teams played, L’Jarius Sneed was ruled out. Kadarius Toney hurt his ankle early. Willie Gay Jr had to be helped off of the field. Mecole Hardman came and went (to the locker room). JuJu Smith-Schuster was lost. Justin Watson was already ill and then, of all things, Patrick Mahomes hurt his ankle. And yes, that team went on to hold off the Bengals’ offense and advance to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are deeper than they’ve been in years with a young core that will be that much better in 2023. The linebackers are incredibly deep and talented with better coverage ability than they’ve had in years. They’re also more athletic on the edges on offense which means they should have an easier time with whatever Lou Anarumo wants to dial up.

To be clear: No one will be whistling while they walk into Arrowhead. The Bengals have every reason to believe they can chase and win a Lombardi Trophy. The only problem: there’s only one to claim and multiple teams have the goods.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Bengals 30