With training camp and preseason well underway, Last Word on Pro Football is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each team’s 16-game slate will be split into its most difficult (1-8) and easiest games (9-16). For this article, the Kansas City Chiefs easiest games of the 2019 schedule will be discussed.
Check out the eight toughest games on the 2019 Chiefs schedule.
Kansas City Chiefs Easiest Games of 2019
9. Week Six: vs. Houston Texans
Another great game with top notch quarterback play. The Houston Texans are poised to repeat as AFC South Division Champs, with the Colts losing Andrew Luck to retirement. But their offensive line is atrocious and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back from losing Lamar Miller for the season. Another thing to watch for is if the Chiefs can hold DeAndre Hopkins in check, because he is arguably the top receiver in the NFL right now. If the Chiefs can provide a consistent pass rush on emerging star Deshaun Watson, it will be a long game for the Texans.
10. Week Nine: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a true wild card on this schedule. This should be a perennial playoff team with the talent they have. However, something just didn’t click last season. The offense really struggled down the stretch with Kirk Cousins at the helm, and the defense regressed last season. With Dalvin Cook back healthy, expect the Vikings to be contenders for a playoff spot. Mahomes and company should be able to outscore this Vikings team.
11. Week Seven: at Denver Broncos
The Mile High city is a difficult place to win. The altitude provides a unique challenge, and the tenacious pass rushing duo of Von Miller and potential breakout star Bradley Chubb is looking dangerous. But it will come down to the Denver Broncos offense. And despite acquiring quarterback Joe Flacco, the offense will not suddenly explode. Flacco is not the same quarterback he was five or six years ago; injuries have taken a toll on him. Nonetheless, this is still a divisional game, which are tough to say the least. The Broncos don’t have the talent to keep up with the Chiefs. If the Broncos can rattle Mahomes with constant pressure, they give themselves an opportunity in this game. Plus, this is a Thursday Night game for the Chiefs, and historically, road teams tend to struggle on those Thursday night games.
12. Week 5: vs Indianapolis Colts
If this was a few weeks ago, this game is easily in the top five of toughest games. But with the sudden retirement of Andrew Luck, the degree of difficulty in this game has certainly decreased. Jacoby Brissett is no scrub, and is capable of high level play. But the Chiefs are just a better football team. The Colts defense made significant strides last season, and only loaded up more this off-season. But without Luck, the Colts are not a big enough threat to the Chiefs.
13. Week 10: at Tennessee Titans
This football team is a head-scratcher. With a top five defense last season, there is no way the Tennessee Titans should have missed the playoffs. However, inconsistent quarterback play from Marcus Mariota and a poor offensive line will kill the spirit of a team. The Titans running game is stout, and Derrick Henry looks poised for a big season. If the defense can’t stop Mahomes, Damien Williams and crew, this will be a runaway game for the Chiefs.
14. Week 13: vs Oakland Raiders
The Raiders may still be in contention for a playoff spot at this point. But coming off a bye week, the Chiefs will re-load and be recharged. If the Raiders were to get the first game in Oakland, there probably won’t be a chance to beat them twice in the season. Jon Gruden is the ultimate motivator, but if the season goes South like last season, expect the Chiefs to roll.
15. Week 15: vs Denver Broncos
The Broncos are just not a serious threat in the AFC West. Joe Flacco has not shown in the last couple of years to lead a team as a serious threat in the AFC. Once again, this game will come down to how many turnovers and pressures the Broncos defense can force against a dynamic Chiefs offense.
16. Week 4: at Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have not made enough significant moves in the off-season to make this a difficult game for the Chiefs. Matthew Stafford is a stud, and Matt Patricia is a good coach. The ceiling for the Lions can be a wild card team that sneaks in, but within their own division, the competition makes it hard for them to come out on top. The addition of Trey Flowers defensively should help their pass rush out, but the team as a whole just doesn’t seem to be a serious threat.
The Chiefs will likely make the playoffs this year again. The only issue will be whether or not they will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first-round bye, or have a wild card spot like the Chargers did last season. The Chiefs have the NFL MVP on their roster, and he alone can single-handedly win them games.
