Chiefs: Four Decisive Games of the 2023 Season

Laddie Morse

The Kansas City Chiefs will once again have a difficult schedule in 2023. Let’s take a look at the four most difficult games this year with an eye towards the playoffs. First, we’ll take a look at the Chiefs overall schedule on a calendar:

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The Chiefs start the season against the upstart Detroit Lions in Arrowhead GEHA Stadium. I believe the Chiefs will be raising a Championship Banner at that time. Next, the team gets nine days off to prepare for the Jags in Jacksonville. We all know Andy Reid is very good when he gets extra time to prepare, and this season is filled with games like that.

This season is also filled with games that provide little time to prepare. October gives us a first look at one of those scenarios:

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You can see that K.C. has only three days (9, 10, 11) to prepare to face the Broncos. Fortunately that game is at HOME for the Chiefs, but the game against the Vikings is not. That means the players will be exhausted flying home from Minnesota on that Sunday evening late on the 8th. However, then Reid and his team get 9 days off to prepare for the Chargers on the 22nd.

The decisive games come up in November and December.

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Decisive Game One

The first critical game for the Chiefs come in Germany versus the Miami Dolphins. Their pairing of Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey at CB could be the best pairing of corners they face all season. I’m glad the Dolphins — and Tyreek Hill — are being faced in week nine, which means K.C.’s D-backs will have time to jell prior to facing Hill and Jaylen Waddle. I have no fear whatsoever of QB Tua Tagovailoa but the rest of their roster is stacked.

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Decisive Game Two

November will be a busy month for the Chiefs… except, they have a BYE Week right in the middle of it. This BYE Week is perfectly placed at the Chiefs make the long flight to Germany but by getting a week off following that, and right before the Eagles game, will be ultimately helpful. Also, the Game against the Eagles will be in Arrowhead giving the player more time to rest and Andy Reid extra time to prepare. The BYE Week is also a traditionally great time for Reid to make changes in his starting line-up. That may come in particularly handy as it relates to the Offensive Line.

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Decisive Game Three

December provides more challenges for the Chiefs this year. Since taking over the starting role in September of 2018, Patrick Mahomes record in December has been 20-and-3. Starting of the month with a game versus the Green Bay Packers may be a blessing in disguise. If Jordan Love is not so lovely then the Chiefs may end up with an easier game than expected. The Packers have a top shelf roster but we should now much more about Love by then. If Love doesn’t produce in his first season as a starter, advantage Chiefs.

The Buffalo Bills game will take place at Arrowhead Stadium and that should be an advantage for K.C.. If the Bills win this game, it will eb a surprise to me. On the other hand, this is a regular season game and if playoff seedings are in play, I expect Reid, Kelce and Mahomes to show up big.

The next game will be eight days later in Foxborough, Mass. While I used to not know what to expect out of the Patriots, they have fallen and can’t get up. This should be an easy win… if there is such a thing in the NFL. Seven Days later, K.C. faces the Raiders on Christmas Day in Arrowhead.

Decisive Game Four

What I don’t like is that it’s only 6 days later after that, the Chiefs have to prepare for the Bengals. What I DO like is that both of these games are at Arrowhead. While I don’t expect the Chiefs to play perfect ball all season, they will come into this game knowing what is means to the rivalry. Whether they win the game or not, they recognize it’s just a regular season game and not a playoff game that sends them onward and upward.

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The Chiefs last game of the 2023 season is to be at So-Fi Stadium, the Chiefs Home away from Home. I’m not a fan of “TBD” — To Be Decided — and that goes for the day of the game as well as the time of hte game. That’s purely a money decision and if the NFL powers that be decide a month in advance (because that’s how far in advance they must notify the teams) then it must mean both teams are still in the running for a division or conference crown.

What’s you’re take about the Chiefs schedule? Here’s the link to the Chiefs schedule at Chiefs.com, if you need to check out the Home or Away game status. Let me know what you think.

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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