Kansas City Chiefs 2014 schedule re-assessed after two weeks

The Kansas City Chiefs are now 0-2 on the season, which is one game worse than what most expected after the schedule came out. Folks that the Chiefs would beat the Tennessee Titans (they did not) while folks did not think the Chiefs would beat the Broncos (they did not).

Let's take a minute to re-assess the Chiefs schedule based on what we know. The goal should be 9 wins, as difficult as they may seem right now.

I see three games that the Chiefs have to win right now -- I would have put the Titans in that group before the season, too. I see three more games where the Chiefs may not necessarily be favored (3.5-point 'dogs to the Dolphins this weekend) but should win if they're a real playoff contender. If the Chiefs are losing to the Jets and Bills, it's over. Finally, I see eight of the Chiefs remaining 14 games as very difficult games.

The good thing is that, after the Broncos game this week, you can't say the Chiefs don't stand a chance against any of these teams. In the last year they have taken the Broncos, Chargers and Colts -- all playoff teams -- to the limit in a game. They're capable of beating those teams.

Here's my look at the Chiefs schedule after two days (full schedule here).

Must win games

St. Louis Rams (Week 8)
at Oakland Raiders (Week 12)
Oakland Raiders (Week 15)

Should win games

at Miami Dolphins (Week 3)
New York Jets (Week 9)
at Buffalo Bills (Week 10)

Must steal a couple here

at San Diego Chargers (Week 7)
at Arizona Cardinals (Week 14
at Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 16)
San Diego Chargers (Week 17)

Big upset needed

New England Patriots (Week 4 - MNF)
at San Francisco 49ers (Week 5)
Seattle Seahawks (Week 11) 
Denver Broncos (Week 13)