Chiefs “Tougher” Schedule in 2011
Much has been made of the tougher schedule the Chiefs face next year and how difficult it might be to duplicate the 10-6 record. All true. But that doesn’t mean winning the AFC West and getting into the playoffs is unrealistic.
All four teams in the AFC West play against the Patriots, Jets, Dolphins and Bills. All four AFC West teams play the Eagles, Giants, Cowboys and Redskins Packers, Bears, Vikings and Lions. It’s not unreasonable to believe the Chiefs could come out of those eight games with as good or better a record as any other team in the West. That leaves the weighted games and division games.
The Chiefs face the Steelers and Colts, playoff teams who had a 22-10 mark last year. The Chargers, who finished in second, face the Ravens (a 12-4 playoff team) and Jaguars (8-8). The Raiders, who swept their AFC West games last year, play the Texans (6-10) and Browns (5-11). The Broncos get the Titans (6-10) and Bengals (4-12).
It is no more reasonable to think the Broncos, coming off a 4-12 season, will be any more successful in their weighted games than the Chiefs. Ditto for the Raiders, who will be breaking in yet another head coach, against their weighted opponents.
That leaves the division games. The Chiefs were 2-4 in the AFC West, the only division winner in the NFL with a losing record in their division.
So what the numbers say is . . . Chiefs fans should be far more concerned about the team beefing up its record against division opponents than worry about how much more difficult the 2011 schedule was than the 2010 version.
Kent- well said. I have grown tired of all of the negative comments on this site about next years schedule. The schedule is tougher, however the Chiefs will be better as well, with another Pioli draft class and perhaps some moderately priced free agents like the 4 starters he signed last year.
While I agree with Kent’s assessment and Nate’s comments, I don’t think that’s Kansas City’s list of opponents for next, Kent. The AFC West plays the NFC Central in 2011 instead of the NFC East. They played the NFC EAST in 2009. I would add that I think the Chiefs match up better against the Central than the East, too. Just have to hope the Packers have a Super Bowl hangover year. You’ve got the AFC opponents correct, and the Jets and Pats on the road probably will be two of the Chiefs tougher games. I wouldn’t hazzard a guess for a record in 2011, but generally speaking I think KC has to win a minimum of 6 at home. That means having to grab at least 4 on the road. Or, 7 home-3 road…something like that.
Bring it!!! All they can do is play and kick some butt.
So right Michael. I hate it when I do that. It is the Packers, Vikings, Bears and Lions. I will stick by my premise that the no one should think the Chiefs will fare worse against that group than any other team in the division. So in my opinion it still comes down to doing well in the division to win it. Thanks. Will try to get Bob to put up a correction on the front page.