Oops. I just realized I didn't finish my evaluation of the Chiefs schedule. I was wanting to accomplish the task before the draft, and then, well, I forgot about it. Oh well, it gives me something to do now. For my evaluation of the Chiefs first four opponents to start 2012, click here. For the next four, just look below.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens return to Kansas City in one of the most important matchups of the season for the Chiefs. The Ravens have been among the class of the NFL over the last few seasons, and have been a perennial playoff contender since John Harbaugh landed the head coaching position. If the Chiefs have it their way, this will be an early playoff preview.
This game, however, might be beyond what the Chiefs can handle. The team has talked about trying to go back to the ways of 2010, when the Chiefs won 10 games and the AFC West. But in that season, their home playoff game was against the Ravens, and there won't be enough years in my life to heal the pain of watching that 30-7 blowout loss. Much like back then, it will depend on the play of Matt Cassel. He was a big reason we lost two years ago, maybe he can be the reason we win the second time around.
2011 Ravens: 19th Passing (213.9 ypg), 10 Rushing (124.8 ypg), 4th Pass Defense (196.3 ypg), 2nd Rush Defense (92.6 ypg); 12-4 record
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14
@Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The last time these two teams played in the regular season, it was November 2nd, 2008. The Bucs won in a 30-27 overtime thriller that Chiefs fans remember for this play and Bucs fans remember for a 21 point comeback to force OT. But these two teams couldn't look any more different four years later. Tyler Thigpen (Thigbone) ran the Chiefs offense while Jeff Garcia ran the Bucs. The differences might start at the QB position, but they don't stop there. Only a handful of either 2008 team remains with the current unit.
As far as changes are concerned, I don't think any team added to their team this offseason more than the Bucs. They signed Vincent Jackson from the Chargers, Eric Wright from the Lions, and Carl Nicks from the Saints in free agency, and then picked up an additional pick in the first round of the draft, having S Mark Barron and RB Doug Martin add to new head coach Greg Schiano's team. They might be coming off a 4 win season, but they are only one year removed from a 10 win season, and the talent is in place to be able to compete for the NFC South immediately. This will be a tough test for the Chiefs, but I like their odds against the Bucs.
2011 Bucs: 16th Passing (228.1 ypg), 30th Rushing (91.1 ypg), 21st Pass Defense (238.4 ypg), 32nd Rush Defense (156.1 ypg); 4-12 record
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21
BYE WEEK
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28
Oakland Raiders
The second divisional game of the year for the Chiefs will also take place at Arrowhead, and this time against the hated rivals from Oakland. It hasn't been often over the last 10 years that the Raiders have finished ahead of the Chiefs in the AFC West, but that was the case last season. But just like the Raiders we all know and love, they blew their opportunity to supplant the Broncos for the division championship and lost their final game against the Chargers to end the season 8-8, still unable to break the .500 record since their Super Bowl appearing season.
It's hard to argue that the Raiders don't have the talent to succeed. Then again, it's never been about the talent in Oakland; it's been about everything else. With a new coach (which is almost a tradition) and a new GM in the Silver and Black, the future is unfortunately looking bright for the Raiders. The present, however, is still bleak, and I'm looking for the Chiefs to avenge their home loss to the Raiders last season that kept them from claiming the AFC West title as well.
2011 Raiders: 11th Passing (247.6 ypg), 7th Rushing (131.9 ypg), 27th Pass Defense (251.4 ypg), 27th Rush Defense (136.1 ypg); 8-8 record
Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 1
@San Diego Chargers
Much like last season, the Chiefs and Chargers will meet for the second and final time by the halfway point of the season. And also like last year, the two team's second meeting will take place in Prime Time. The Chiefs and Chargers kick off on Thursday night for the world to watch, and if it's anything like the last TWO prime time games these teams have squared off in, then Chiefs fans will be in for a heck of a ride. The disadvantage this year is that the game does not take place in Arrowhead. The Chiefs haven't been very successful in San Diego over the Philip Rivers years, but the Chiefs are looking to stop that trend here.
Predicted Chiefs Record through 9 weeks: 4-4
Being bold: 6-2
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