The Kansas City Chiefs are entering uncharted territory in 2026. For the first time since 2015, they aren't defending their AFC West title and for the first time since 2012, they're hoping to bounce back with a winning season.
Fortunately, their early-season schedule should allow them a chance to start things out with a bang. Yes, the Chiefs start the year with a game against the reigning AFC West champion Broncos but things smooth out a little after that.
In Week 2, the Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts and there's a solid chance that the Colts won't have Daniel Jones as their quarterback for that game. If that's the case, Riley Leonard is likely the starting quarterback and that bodes well for the Chiefs, who might be entering a must-win game that week if they lose to Denver in the season opener.
It's the following week, however, that gives the Chiefs what should be a lay-up. Yes, Kansas City will hit the road for the first time during the 2026 season but it's an away game against the rebuilding Miami Dolphins that's on tap next.
Week 3 vs. Dolphins should hopefully give Chiefs easy win
Now, look, no game is a for-sure guaranteed victory, especially considering Patrick Mahomes might not be fully himself early in the season. Heck, there's even still a chance that Mahomes isn't starting in Week 3 and that Justin Fields is the starter instead.
Even still, Fields under Andy Reid's tutelage against a rebuilding Dolphins squad that shipped off anyone worth investing in still feels like a safe Chiefs victory to bet on. If Mahomes is starting, that becomes even more of a sure thing.
Miami no longer has Jaylen Waddle or Tyreek Hill on offense and that wide receiver room makes the Chiefs' wide receiver corps look like Hall of Famers. The Dolphins do still have De'Von Achane at running back but that's about it as far as offensive threats go. There isn't anyone daunting on the defensive side of the ball either for the Fins.
The Dolphins are poised to be one of the worst teams in the league in 2026 so it bodes well for Kansas City that they not only have them on their schedule but have them early in the year. Hopefully, they take care of business against the Broncos in Week 1 so that by the time Week 3 rolls around, K.C. can get to 3-0 and keep on rolling.
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