Kansas City Chiefs record prediction: Picks for every game in 2020
Predicting the Kansas City Chiefs record in 2020 as they defend their title.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2020 NFL season with a target on their backs — not that there wasn’t one there before. They were already one of the best teams in the NFL but now that they reached the mountaintop and won the Super Bowl last season — and are favorites to repeat — that target is even bigger and more brightly colored.
While that may be true, it’s hard not to believe that the Chiefs won’t still be dominant. After all, they were the No. 2 seed in the AFC last season despite the fact that Mahomes missed time due to injury. Not only is head coach Andy Reid one of the best in the world at his job but the weapons on offense such as Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and newcomer Clyde Edwards-Helaire comprise a lethal, speedy unit. And the defense, though imperfect, is good enough to do the job.
But what job will they do in the 2020 season? Let’s go game-by-game through the Chiefs 2020 schedule making picks to come up with a record prediction for Kansas City.
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Week 1: vs. Texans (Thursday Night Football) – Win
As the defending champs, the Chiefs open up the season on Thursday night. I’ve expressed my doubts about Houston as they especially aren’t going away against Mahomes and co.
Week 2: at Chargers – Win
While the Chargers have built a nice overall roster, the simple truth is that the offense is going to be limited. That’s not what you want against Reid’s club.
Week 3: at Ravens (Monday Night Football) – Loss
Expecting the Chiefs to lose early might be fool’s gold but the Ravens rushing attack could cause real problems for the linebacker corps. Regardless, get your popcorn ready for this matchup.
Week 4: vs. Patriots – Win
Though Kansas City will be on a short week here but that’s fine. Even if Stidham is the right guy in New England, the Pats’ offense won’t be able to match what KC does at Arrowhead in this one.
Week 5: vs. Raiders – Win
The first-year Las Vegas dwellers could surprise some people as Gruden has this team ready to compete. Kansas City at home, however, won’t be among those getting shocked.
Week 6: at Bills (Thursday Night Football) – Win
Buffalo might be the best defense Kansas City faces in the 2020 season but, as is often the case, the Bills offense won’t be able to keep the pace even if they get a few stops.
Week 7: at Broncos – Win
It was an offseason seemingly meant to keep up with the Chiefs for Denver. But the truth is that the Broncos might be a year away from actually accomplishing that.
Week 8: vs. Jets – Win
Some people are buying into the New York Jets as a team that could come out on top of the AFC East as a sleeper. I’m not one of those people as long as Adam Gase remains the head coach of this team.
Week 9: vs. Panthers – Win
Anyone paying attention has to like the direction of the long-term rebuild in Carolina. That being said, it’s still a rebuilding team that’s on the road against the reigning champions.
Week 11: at Raiders (Sunday Night Football) – Win
Andy Reid off the bye against a Raiders team that’s good but not even close to great? Find me an easier pick on this schedule.
Week 12: at Buccaneers – Loss
After a 9-1 start and winning seven straight games, the Chiefs are finally brought down to Earth. Tom Brady and the Bucs should be clicking by this point and, playing in Tampa, they get the slight edge.
Week 13: vs. Broncos (Sunday Night Football) – Win
See my earlier point about the Broncos and now put the game in Arrowhead in primetime. Yeah, that’s Chiefs all day, especially with motivation to bounce back from a loss.
Week 14: at Dolphins – Win
Though some of Miami’s draft picks have been criticized, they are on the upswing and Tua Tagovailoa should be starting by this point. Of course, he nor the Dolphins are ready to topple mighty Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Week 15: at Saints – Loss
It’s a tough break — perhaps a champion’s break — that the Chiefs’ three toughest games are all on the road. Unfortunately, they drop to 0-3 in those matchups with a loss in the Big Easy.
Week 16: vs. Falcons – Win
Who knows what to make of Atlanta after they were a tale of two halves of the 2019 season a year ago. They’ll not be a pushover but Kansas City should still triumph.
Week 17: vs. Chargers – Win
Even if Justin Herbert has taken over the offense, the Bolts still don’t’ have enough firepower on that side ball to hang with the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs 2020 final record prediction: 13-3
Unless the Ravens go 14-2 for the second straight season, the Chiefs should be in line for the lone first-round bye in the AFC under the new playoff format. With that and home-field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium, that should be the goal in Kansas City this season.
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Frankly, there’s no reason to believe that Reid, Mahomes and the rest of the reigning champions won’t be in line to defend their title and potentially go back-to-back with Lombardi Trophies. We should see that type of trajectory in the regular season, even if they do ultimately fall short in the postseason.