You'd think after a few rings, things would get easier. But honestly, the Kansas City Chiefs football schedule for this year looks like a gauntlet designed by someone who really wants to see if Patrick Mahomes can handle a headache. We aren't just talking about the usual divisional scraps with the Raiders or the Chargers. This season is different. It’s got an international flavor, a bunch of short weeks, and a late-season stretch that basically requires a depth chart made of steel.
If you’re looking at the calendar and wondering why your Sundays are already booked, it’s because the NFL knows everyone watches the Chiefs. They’ve scheduled them into nearly every primetime slot available. You've got games on Fridays, Mondays, Thursdays, and obviously, those classic Sunday night showdowns.
The Brazil Opener and the Early Chaos
Kicking things off in São Paulo, Brazil, was a choice. Playing the Los Angeles Chargers on a Friday night in South America isn't exactly a standard "Week 1" experience. The travel alone is a beast. Then, you've gotta fly back and immediately prep for a Super Bowl LVII rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles for the home opener.
Most teams get a "tune-up" game. The Chiefs get a cross-continental flight and a title contender.
The early schedule is heavy on "prestige" matchups. You’ve got the Baltimore Ravens coming to Arrowhead in Week 4, which is always a slugfest between Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. People always talk about these games like they’re the AFC Championship preview, and honestly, they usually are.
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That Brutal November-December Stretch
If the Chiefs are going to stumble, it's usually in that weird mid-to-late season window where injuries start piling up. Look at the Thanksgiving week. They travel to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys on a short week for the holiday. It’s a massive spotlight game, but the physical toll of playing a high-intensity game on a Thursday after a full Sunday slate is no joke.
Here is a look at some of the weirdest scheduling quirks this season:
- The Christmas Day Headache: Facing the Denver Broncos on December 25th at home. It’s great for TV ratings, but it's a "family-time" killer for the players.
- The YouTube Game: That Week 1 Brazil game wasn't on traditional cable—it was a YouTube/NFL+ exclusive, signaling a big shift in how we actually watch these games.
- The Late Bye: Week 10 is when the team finally gets to breathe. By then, they'll have played nine games, including that international trip.
Why the "Strength of Schedule" is Deceptive
Every year, analysts look at the "strength of schedule" based on last year’s records. It’s mostly nonsense. Why? Because the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions aren't the bottom-feeders they used to be. The Chiefs host both of them this year.
Detroit, specifically, has become a nightmare matchup. They play a physical, "punch-you-in-the-mouth" style of football that usually gives the Chiefs' defensive front some trouble. The Kansas City Chiefs football schedule for this year is essentially a "who's who" of the new NFL elite.
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Home Opponents at Arrowhead
The home slate is actually pretty terrifying if you’re a season ticket holder who likes easy wins. You're looking at the Ravens, Lions, Texans, and Eagles. Even the Washington Commanders are becoming a "trap game" under their new regime.
Road Trips to Watch
The road schedule is arguably tougher. Going to Buffalo in early November? That’s almost guaranteed to be a "frozen tundra" situation. Then you’ve got the trip to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans in December, which sounds easy on paper but usually ends up being a weird, low-scoring trap.
Managing the Mahomes Factor
Let’s be real: as long as #15 is healthy, the schedule is just a suggestion. But even Mahomes needs a line that doesn't look like a revolving door. With Joe Thuney gone to Chicago and a few other veterans moving on, the schedule's early volatility is a real test for the new-look offensive line.
You also have to consider the "Target on the Back" effect. Every single team on this list—especially the Las Vegas Raiders—treats the Chiefs game like their personal Super Bowl. The Raiders managed to steal a win at the end of last season, and they’ll be looking to do it again in Week 18.
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What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning on going to a game, get your tickets now for the Indianapolis Colts game in Week 12. It’s one of the few "affordable" home games left, and it usually ends up being a surprisingly competitive matchup. Also, keep an eye on the "flex" scheduling. The NFL can move Sunday games to Sunday night with only a couple of weeks' notice, so don't book your non-refundable flights just yet.
Check the official team site for any late-breaking changes to kickoff times, especially for those December games where the league loves to shuffle the deck for better TV numbers.
Scan your calendar for those Monday and Thursday night games—there are more than usual this year, and they require a totally different tailgate strategy.
Make sure your streaming apps are updated because, between YouTube, Prime Video, and Peacock, watching the Chiefs this year feels like you need a degree in IT.
Keep an eye on the injury report starting around Week 6. That's usually when the "iron man" starters start showing the wear and tear of this high-velocity schedule.