The five most important games on Kansas City Chiefs schedule

It’s official! The 2023 NFL Schedule has been released, and that means the Chiefs Kingdom knows the time and place every game will take place this year, including the league’s maximum six primetime games.

As the defending Super Bowl Champions and one of the hottest teams going into the season, every game will be significant because everyone will give the Chiefs their best in an effort to knock off the champ, but five games are going to mean more than the others, and I am here to rank them.

First, here is the full schedule for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 as they attempt to run it back to win the Kansas City Chiefs’ third Super Bowl under the guidance of Andy Reid and the leadership of two-time league MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Week 1, Thursday, Sept. 7 @ 6:15p – vs. Detroit Lions
Week 2 – Sunday, Sept. 17 – @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 3 – Sunday, Sept. 24 – vs. Chicago Bears
Week 4 – Sunday, Oct. 1 @ 7:20p – @ New York Jets (SNF)
Week 5 – Sunday, Oct. 8 @ 3:25p – @ Minnesota Vikings
Week 6 – Thursday, Oct. 12, 7:15p – vs Denver Broncos
Week 7 – Sunday, Oct. 22, 3:25p – vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 8 – Sunday, Oct. 29 @ 3:25p – @ Denver Broncos
Week 9, Sunday, Nov. 5 @ 8:30a – vs. Miami Dolphins (Germany)
Week 10 – Bye
Week 11 – Monday, Nov. 20 @ 7:15p – vs. Philadelphia Eagles (MNF)
Week 12 – Sunday, Nov. 26 @ 3:25p – vs Las Vegas Raiders
Week 13 – Sunday, Dec. 3 @ 7:20p – @ Green Bay Packers (SNF)
Week 14 – Sunday, Dec. 10 @ 3:25p – vs Buffalo Bills
Week 15 – Monday, Dec. 18 @ 7:15p – @ New England Patriots (MNF)
Week 16 – Monday, Dec. 25 @ 12:00p – vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 17 –  Sunday, Dec. 31 @ 3:25p – vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 18 – TBD, Jan. 6-7 – @ Los Angeles Chargers

The first game on the list is about making a statement, celebrating the accomplishments of 2022 while also turning the page onto a new season with an NFL opening night in front of the nation and the greatest fans in the NFL, Chiefs Kingdom.

5. Week 1 vs Detroit Lions

The Kansas City Chiefs will kick off the 2023 NFL Season by welcoming the Detroit Lions to Arrowhead Stadium. This game is an essential game for the team. They are going to be opening up the season as the defending Super Bowl Champions, which means the banner will be raised. This will be the last time to lavish in the accomplishments from 2022, while at the same time turning the page and looking towards 2023.

This matchup may not be the most glamorous game the Chiefs had on the schedule, but it has the makings to be memorable. The Detroit Lions started 2022 slow, starting 1-6, but then appeared to turn the ship around and won eight out of the last ten games, including a Week 18 game that, with the win, kept the Packers out of the playoffs. The Detroit Lions, led by Jared Goff, ended the 2022 season as one of the hottest teams going into the offseason, making this matchup one a tougher one than some imagine for the Chiefs in Week 1.

If you are still looking for a reason to get excited about this matchup, the last time Goff and Mahomes met on the gridiron, it was one of the highest-scoring games in NFL history. Just as a taste of what could be, here are the highlights from the best game Mahomes has ever lost.

Number four is a battle of the League MVPs, and their teams will be showcased on Sunday Night Football.