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Kansas City Chiefs schedule and 2021 season predictions
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs schedule for the 2021 NFL season starts out like gangbusters with games against conference title contenders in that of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

The two-time defending AFC champions, led by Patrick Mahomes, must also contend with teams like the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. Below, we look at the Kansas City Chiefs schedule while giving you game-by-game predictions.

Week 1 — vs. Cleveland Browns

Thanks to massive upgrades on their offensive line, the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs offense should be as dangerous as it’s ever been in 2021. Cleveland’s best efforts to counter that won’t be enough, as Kansas City can now get tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire rolling, which will put too much pressure on the Browns to ultimately keep up.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 31, Browns 27

Week 2 — @ Baltimore Ravens

A matchup many expected in the AFC Championship Game a season ago, Baltimore seems to think that it is better equipped to handle the Chiefs’ high-flying offense. Unfortunately, the losses of Pro Bowl edge rushers Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue will lead to questions about that. Shockingly trading Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to the Chiefs adds another layer to this. Right now, there’s just too much of a gap between the two teams.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 35, Ravens 27

Week 3 — vs. Los Angeles Chargers

In his first NFL action back in Week 2 of the 2020 season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert almost knocked off Kansas City. They lost by the score of 23-20 at home. This set the stage for a surprisingly competitive Los Angeles team under the rookie quarterback. Don’t expect that to change in 2021. It will also lead to a narrow early-season home win.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 27, Chargers 23

Week 4 — @ Philadelphia Eagles

The two-time reigning AFC champions aren’t going to be defeated on the road against these Eagles. It’s just not happening. Dream on, Philadelphia, because Jalen Hurts isn’t winning a head-to-head duel with Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 38, Eagles 23

Week 5 — vs. Buffalo Bills

A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, we’re pretty darn sure Buffalo is going to want to make a statement in Arrowhead come Week 5. Unfortunately, I am just not seeing how its defense is going to be able to stop Patrick Mahomes and Co. The Chiefs improved their offensive line big time during the offseason after that unit failed them during the Super Bowl. That will be the biggest difference in this high-scoring affair and potential championship game preview.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 35, Bills 31 

Week 6 — @ Washington Football Team

Upset alert. Washington has the talent at all three tiers on defense to be able to pull off what would be one of the biggest statements of the 2021 NFL season. Primarily, its ability to go sideline-to-sideline should help against the likes of Tyreek Hill. Playing ball control offense against a Chiefs defense that gave up nearly 2,000 rushing yards a season ago will also help matters in this regard.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Washington 24, Chiefs 21

Week 7 — @ Tennessee Titans

The Titans have hung around in games with the Kansas City Chiefs before, but this is different. Even with Tennessee’s additions to the front seven, the moves Kansas City made to upgrade its offensive line are superior. Patrick Mahomes will have a clean pocket a lot more this season and in matchups like this one, he’ll dominate.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 28, Titans 20 

Week 8 — vs. New York Giants

The Chiefs’ defense isn’t that great, and if Saquon Barkley can help the Giants establish the run, they have a chance to hang tough with Kansas City, at least to a point. Alas, Mahomes is just too good to allow his team to lose at Arrowhead Stadium against such an inferior foe.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 35, Giants 20

Week 9 — vs. Green Bay Packers

Even if Aaron Rodgers were to remain in Green Bay, I can’t see the Packers winning against Kansas City at Arrowhead. There’s just too many weapons for them to contend with. In what should be a higher-scoring affair, I have the Chiefs coming out on top by multiple scores.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 35, Packers 24

Week 10 — @ Las Vegas Raiders

We have to give Las Vegas credit for sticking with the Chiefs in their two games a season ago. That included Kansas City coming out on top 40-32 in Week 5 and winning by the score of 35-31 in Sin City in Week 11. The one common theme here? These Raiders just can’t stop Patrick Mahomes. Over the course of his career, he has accounted for 2,000 yards with 17 touchdowns against three interceptions in six starts against Vegas.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 31, Raiders 27

Week 11 — vs. Dallas Cowboys

While matchups between great quarterbacks are fun, they become a little less interesting in games like this. The Chiefs’ roster is superior to what Dallas will throw out on the field, even if everyone is healthy. Patrick Mahomes will carve the Cowboys’ defense to shreds and this one might be over by halftime.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 35, Cowboys 24

WEEK 12 BYE

Week 13 — vs. Denver Broncos

Kansas City has outscored Denver 118-41 in their past four outings, winning each one. There’s not much more that can be said here. Patrick Mahomes and Co. will dominate.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 31, Broncos 17

Week 14 — vs. Las Vegas Raiders

There’s certainly a theme in play here. These Raiders should be able to score points against Kansas City. In fact, they averaged 33.5 points per in two outings versus the Chiefs in 2020. That came after Vegas dropped 19 total point in two games against the Chiefs in 2019. Even with this improved offense, the Raiders’ defense will prevent a season split.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 41, Raiders 27

Week 15 — @ Los Angeles Chargers

As noted above, Herbert seemingly plays the Chiefs well. While Mahomes was sitting for Week 17’s matchup a season ago, Los Angeles dropped 38 points against the Chiefs. I am fully expecting the Chargers to earn a season split with their superior divisional foe.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chargers 28, Chiefs 24

Week 16 — vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

There will be plenty of moments in 2021 when Pittsburgh’s defense looks great, creating turnovers and getting to the quarterback. Against Patrick Mahomes and a vastly improved offensive line, that won’t be the case. This could be one of those matchups that is decided by halftime, with the Steelers only making it look closer than it was at the end.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 28, Steelers 17

Week 17 — @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Chiefs just completely overhauled their offensive line that got overwhelmed in the Super Bowl. That’s bad news for the Bengals’ defensive front. They have no hope of stopping Patrick Mahomes and Co.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 31, Bengals 27

Week 18 — @ Denver Broncos

See Week 13.

Kansas City Chiefs schedule prediction: Chiefs 24, Broncos 13

Kansas City Chiefs projected record: 15-2

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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