2023 Kansas City Chiefs schedule analysis

The last time Kansas City and Philadelphia faced each other, it was an excellent game. The Chiefs erased a 10-point first-half deficit, capturing their second Super Bowl in four years in a 38-35 victory. Given the setting of this matchup, it could be another memorable clash.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 14-18 

The end of the season could mark a tipping point for Kansas City. They face three of the AFC's best teams -- the Buffalo Bills (Week 14), the Cincinnati Bengals (Week 17) and the Los Angeles Chargers (Week 18) -- each of which made the playoffs last season. 

Bills QB Josh Allen and Bengals QB Joe Burrow may not fear Kansas City, as they both beat the Chiefs last season. Cincinnati and Buffalo are talented squads that can match up with the Chiefs, too. Per OddsChecker, the Bills have the third-best Super Bowl odds while the Bengals have the fifth-best odds.

These games will probably determine playoff seeding in the AFC, which is critical for a team trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Easiest stretch: Weeks 1-4

The beginning of the season should go smoothly for the Chiefs. They square off against three teams who missed the playoffs last season -- the Detroit Lions (Week 1), Chicago Bears (Week 3) and New York Jets (Week 4). 

Kansas City doesn't have to worry about brutal road environments  in their opening stretch of games, with two of the four contests to take place in Arrowhead. The Jaguars present an exciting matchup in Week 2, but the Chiefs still have the edge. They defeated Jacksonville 27-20 in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.

It would not be surprising to see the Chiefs start with a 3-1 or 4-0 record. 

The Brewing Rivalry: Chiefs vs. Bengals (Week 17)

If Chiefs vs. Eagles is the season's most anticipated game, Kansas City's AFC Championship rematch with the Bengals is No. 2. 

After meeting in consecutive conference championships, the rivalry is boiling. On a recent episode of the podcast "New Heights," Chiefs TE Travis Kelce said that former teammate OT Orlando Brown Jr. signing with the Bengals was like "watching (his) best friend turn evil." 

The Bengals have no Super Bowl titles and they're hungry to claim the Chiefs' throne.