The First Quarter of 2012

The Chiefs schedule was announced on Tuesday, and I promised that I would break down the upcoming year by each game that is going to be played. This post starts that promise, with me breaking down the first quarter of the Chiefs 2012 schedule (I'm also going to skip discussing the preseason).

Week 1: Sunday, September 9
Atlanta Falcons


The Chiefs season will begin with the highest of expectations, and against an opponent that is similar to itself. With the season finally underway, the Chiefs will begin its hunt for a return to the playoffs against a team that has been to the playoffs the last two seasons. A tough test for the Chiefs against Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Ryan and Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner is also punctuated by the first returning visit of former Chiefs tight end, Tony Gonzalez, to the stadium he once called home.

In my opinion, the result of this game will be a good litmus test of how the Chiefs will be in 2012. If they win against the good Falcons, or even barely lose the game, I will feel pretty good about the upcoming season. If it's a blowout, such as last year, it's not the end of the world but it would show that the Chiefs probably aren't ready to be a contender that many fans expect them to be.

2011 Falcons: 8th Passing (262 ypg), 17th Rushing (114.6 ypg), 20th Pass Defense (236.6 ypg), 6th Rush Defense (97 ypg); 10-6 record

Week 2: Sunday, September 16
@Buffalo Bills


For the fifth straight year, the Chiefs and Bills meet in the regular season; but this game means a little more than the other four. The last time these two teams met, the Bills blew out the Chiefs in the first game of the 2011 season, 41-7. It was also in that game when Eric Berry had his ACL torn on a probably legal but still aggravating crack-back block down field by wide receiver Stevie Johnson. While Johnson vehemently defended himself, Berry hasn't seemed one for apologies and the team in general would like to take some vengeance out on the team that started the Chiefs on such a down note in 2011.

While I would love to believe that this should be a victory for the Chiefs, I can't assume that with the Bills. As bad as the Bills have been over the last few years, in the four prior meetings with the Chiefs, they have won three of them. Their only loss was a 13-10 defeat in overtime during the 2010 season, which Chiefs fans will recall fondly ended on a last second Ryan Succop field goal before overtime expired into a tie.

2011 Bills: 15th Passing (231.4 ypg), 13th Rushing (120.1 ypg), 19th Pass Defense (232.1 ypg), 28th Rush Defense (139 ypg); 6-10 record

Week 3: Sunday, September 23
@New Orleans Saints


If there was ever a time to face the Saints, it would be near the beginning of the 2012 season. And luckily for the Chiefs, week 3 is pretty near the beginning. The reason I say the sooner the better is because of the offseason that the Saints have had this year. I'm sure everyone and their dog is aware of the Saints' BountyGate scandal, and Sean Payton suspended without pay for all of 2012. Their interim head coach, Joe Vitt, also won't be back by week 3, serving a six-week suspension for his involvement (or whatever Roger Goodell is calling it) in the scandal.

Unfortunately, Drew Brees isn't suspended, and the Saints offense should be as high-flying as ever. But without their head coach/offensive coordinator, one has to believe that if the Chiefs were going to beat the Saints, then this is their best opportunity. The following offensive statistics are still scary.

2011 Saints: 1st Passing (334.2 ypg), 6th Rushing (132.9 ypg), 30th Pass Defense (259.8 ypg), 12th Rush Defense (108.6 ypg); 13-3 record

Week 4: Sunday, September 30
San Diego Chargers


In week 4, the Chiefs will face their first division opponent and their third Pro Bowl quarterback in the month of September. The Chiefs and Chargers have played each other close over the last two seasons, and it's hard to have any fear of the Chargers anymore after the last two seasons of underwhelming performances. And if there's anything I fear less than Norv Turner in September, it's Norv Turner in September at Arrowhead.

The Chiefs have won the last two home meetings against the Chargers, and while I am not as confident against the Chargers on the road, we seem to have figured out how to beat the Chargers in Kansas City. Hopefully this year, it doesn't take a fumbled snap miracle. Then again ...

2011 Chargers: 6th Passing (276.6 ypg), 16th Rushing (116.5 ypg), 13th Pass Defense (224.4 ypg), 20th Rush Defense (122.2 ypg); 8-8 record

Predicted Chiefs Record through 4 weeks: 2-2
Being bold: 3-1