Kansas City Chiefs’ 2016 NFL Schedule Released

With the 2016 NFL schedule released, we take a look at the opponents for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2015 season was one filled with drastic streaks. After starting the season 1-5, they reeled off 10 straight wins to finish 11-5. They then won their first playoff game in 22 years before suffering a defeat to the New England Patriots. Coming into 2016, the Chiefs appear ready to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy. With a better start to the season, it isn’t out of question to see them compete for one of the top seeds in the AFC.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Chiefs will welcome back Jamaal Charles. However, it may be in a different role than he previously held. Don’t expect Charles to be the workhorse, 25-touch back he once was, as fellow running backs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware both signed new deals to stay with the team. Additionally, the offensive line added Mitchell Schwartz, who should be a consistent piece to stabilize the right tackle position.

Meanwhile, the defensive unit is still above-average, but is faced with a few more questions than last year. One of these is the absence of Justin Houston. Can Dee Ford step up and be a reliable outside linebacker? At the same time, do the Chiefs have someone that can fill the cornerback void left by the departure of Sean Smith? Maybe Phillip Gaines?

As for the Chiefs’ 2016 opponents, it looks like their strength of schedule is in the middle of the pack. All eight of the home games appear winnable, while the away schedule includes tougher match-ups. Some of these road games include trips to face the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts.

In the end, the schedule is one that could possibly be a little easier in terms of the road match-ups, but I could easily see them racking up double-digit wins again next year.

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