"Chiefs Facing a Juggernaut in 2011-12" by Sports on the Hill

September 7, 2011

The 2011 Kansas City Chiefs schedule is filled with top tier NFL teams. This juggernaut of a schedule is leading many to wonder if the Chiefs will be able to defend their AFC West title of a year ago.

Let’s take the approach of head coach Todd Haley, breaking this season down in quarters, and highlighting the toughest game or games in each.

In the first four games of the season Kansas City hosts Buffalo, travels to Detroit and San Diego, and comes home in week 4 to play Minnesota.

San Diego is not only the toughest matchup in this quarter, but the most impactful on the Chiefs division title race.

The Chargers field much the same look as last season with Phillip Rivers, Vincent Jackson and Ryan Matthews leading a high power offense that could give the Chiefs young secondary fits. Defensively the Chargers bring in Takeo Spikes to bolster an already solid pass rush.

The second quarter of the season includes a trip to Indianapolis, a trip to Oakland, a Monday night home against San Diego, and a visit from Miami.

While San Diego will be the most important game in this quarter, Indianapolis could be the toughest. That is, if Peyton Manning is healthy. With the recent talk of Peyton missing a start many have begun to wonder if the Colts can adjust to life without Peyton under center. If Peyton is healthy by the October 9th matchup it will be a tough win for the Chiefs.

The third quarter of the season is without question Kansas City’s toughest. A week 10 matchup against Denver at home, a Monday night game in New England, followed by a Sunday night game in Pittsburgh, and a trip to Chicago to face the Bears will be the make or break stretch of a playoff run.

New England is always tough. Tom Brady has a new target in Ochocinco and Bill Belichick has that ability to make players out of almost anyone. Kansas City will have to play a next to perfect game to survive Monday Night on the east coast.

The Chiefs won’t be given any rest as they lineup against the Steelers on Sunday night the following week. If there is a defense in the NFL that could stop the Chiefs hallowed rushing attack, Pittsburgh has it. Woodley, Farrior, Harrison, Polamalu, and Taylor are names to watch as they take on the Chiefs’ backfield.

The Chiefs’ schedule doesn’t slow down in the fourth quarter. Traveling to New York to face the Jets, playing Green Bay at home, and finishing with Oakland at home and Denver in the Rockies will be nearly as tough as the last four games.

The Jets will prove to be the toughest team in this stretch. Revis, Cromartie and company will shut down the Chiefs passing game. The question will be can the Chiefs stop the Jets offense. Mark Sanchez should benefit from the addition of Plaxico Burress who has played well this preseason.

Kansas City must win in the first half of the season if they hope to be around in the late stages of the playoff conversation. Another ten win season isn’t out of the question, but to make that happen the Chiefs will have to beat some teams of Pittsburgh and New England’s caliber.

The 2011 season will be a true test of Kansas City’s progression toward being a top tier NFL Team.

Chiefs Facing a Juggernaut in 2011-12

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