Kansas City Chiefs 2014 schedule prediction: 9-7

Last season I predicted a 9-7 finish for the Chiefs, which was one of the most optimistic predictions around. Turns out, that wasn't optimistic enough as the Chiefs finished 11-5 on the season (and should've been 12-4 if not for that dang Chargers game).

The win total for the Chiefs back in March was placed at 8 wins. This season my prediction ends at 9-7 once again.

Week 1: Tennessee Titans (Sept. 7, 12 p.m., CBS)

Win. Home opener against a team they beat last year. The Chiefs have to win games like this one in 2014 because they don't have much room for error.

1-0

Week 2: at Denver Broncos (Sept. 14, 3:25 p.m., CBS)

Loss. At Denver? Let's just go ahead and accept that the Chiefs aren't winning this one.

1-1

Week 3: at Miami Dolphins (Sept. 21, 3:25 p.m., CBS)

Win. Again, these are the types of games the Chiefs need to win because right after this comes three games in which they'll probably be 'dogs.

2-1

Week 4: New England Patriots (Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., ESPN) - MNF

Loss. Tempted to pick the Chiefs. Really tempted. But the Patriots are clearly the better team here. Maybe the Arrowhead advantage can be in play on a big Monday night.

2-2

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 5, 3:25 p.m.)

Loss. If this were in KC, I'd think harder about picking the Chiefs. But the 49ers will be opening a new stadium, their fans will be excited for Alex Smith's return and, oh by the way, the 49ers are really, really good. The 49ers are one of the four hardest games the Chiefs play in 2014 (Seahawks, Broncos, Patriots being the others) but as we discussed on 610 Sports this week, the 49ers are probably the team most likely to fall off among that group. Let's hope for it given their tumultuous offseason.

2-3

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: at San Diego Chargers (Oct. 19, 3:05 p.m., CBS)

Loss. Three in a row. The Chiefs have had problems in San Diego for years now -- they haven't won there since 2007. Last season, the Chiefs reserves almost beat them. But I don't see that happening in 2014 in San Diego even with the starters . Games in San Diego are bad. On the plus side, this is around Mrs. Arrowhead Pride's birthday so maybe we'll go to San Diego for her birthday ...

2-4

Week 8: St. Louis Rams (Oct. 27, 12 p.m., Fox)

Win. Home game against the cross-state rivals? Win. Be on the lookout for our annual St. Louis bashing around this time.

3-4

Week 9: New York Jets (Nov. 2, 12 p.m., CBS)

Win. Similar to the Titans and Dolphins games, these are the types the Chiefs need to win this year if they're a playoff contending team.

4-4

Week 10: at Buffalo Bills (Nov. 9, 12 p.m., CBS)

Win. I hate playing in Buffalo (as if I play) and I don't feel confident picking the Chiefs here but I do believe the Chiefs are the better team. The Chiefs have won just two of their last seven against the Bills.

5-4

Week 11: Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 16, 12 p.m., Fox)

Loss. When I was a kid, the Old Man took me to one game around my birthday, which is November 11. This would've been my game if I were a kid. Anyway, Seattle is outstanding. At Arrowhead, the Chiefs will compete but they won't pull it out.

5-5

Week 12: at Oakland Raiders (Nov. 20, 7:25 p.m., NFLN) - TNF

Win. This will be an ugly game not only because Oakland is an ugly place but because it's on short rest.

6-5

Week 13: Denver Broncos (Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m., NBC) - SNF

Win. You're damn right I just picked them to beat Denver in Kansas City. The Chiefs were close last year, coming down to the fourth down from the 13-yard line which went incomplete. With this being the game of the year, Arrowhead will be worth a couple of points to the oddsmakers.

7-5

Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals (Dec. 7, 3:05 p.m., CBS)

Win. I'm guessing that the Cardinals will fall back this year. I just didn't see them coming as a 10-win team last year. Looking at my projection, I need the Chiefs to beat the Cardinals or Steelers on the road, both really hard games. I'm going with the Cardinals but this is a good time. Not very confident in this pick.

8-5

Week 15: Oakland Raiders (Dec. 14, 12 p.m, CBS)

Win. Gotta sweep the Raidahs if you're a playoff team. Wouldn't it be cool if Andy Reid never lost to the Raiders in his Chiefs career? OK, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

9-5

Week 16: at Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 21, 12 p.m., CBS)

Loss. The Steelers should be better than they were last year. I bet this has serious playoff implications with both teams contending for a Wild Card spot.

9-6

Week 17: San Diego Chargers (Dec. 28, 12 p.m., CBS)

Loss. Did you realize the Chargers have beaten the Chiefs in 11 of their last 13 meetings? That's crazy and a reason why no Chiefs fan should feel any sort of confidence against San Diego. Last year's season finale against the Chargers was terrific even if it was the Chiefs backups playing. Maybe the backups will be playing again and pull it out this time.

9-7