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The NFL typically releases its regular-season schedule in mid-to-late April—our best guess this year is April 18, seven days from Thursday. And a Wednesday tweet from now-Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has sent NFL social media into full schedule-speculation mode.
Just seen the schedule, it’s funny how God and the universe works.... week 1 surprise
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) April 11, 2019
Rumors are out there that Jets-Browns would be on Monday Night Football in Week 1, as @BrianCoz noted, which would make sense given @obj's tweet.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 11, 2019
Would also tie into NFL 100 - well, sort of: the first ever "Monday Night Football" game in 1970 was ... Jets-Browns.
So if we believe Jets-Browns are slated for Monday night, what does that say about the Chiefs? We already know the schedule will kick off with the Green Bay Packers visiting the Chicago Bears on September 5, meaning the New England Patriots will have their banner night on Sunday Night Football.
With the new-look Browns ruled out as an opponent, a Chiefs-Patriots AFC title rematch on Sunday night feels likely. Now let’s take a peek at the Royals September schedule. The Chiefs rarely schedule games the same day as Royals games since the teams share a parking lot.
Royals schedule
NFL Week 1: Royals away
NFL Week 2: Royals home
NFL Week 3: Royals away
NFL Week 4: Royals home
If the Chiefs begin the year with all Sunday games, including Week 1 away, this tells us the Chiefs will be on the road three of the first four games of the season, with the home opener coming Week 3.
There’s also the possibility that the Chiefs will play at Arrowhead on Monday night or Thursday night. Now featuring the MVP, the Chiefs should have the maximum number of allotted primetime games (six). On Monday nights in September, all four weeks are open. On Thursday nights, Weeks 2, 3 and 4 are open.
Also, a Chiefs Redditor (Disclaimer: pure speculation at this point) is claiming the following:
- The Chiefs will indeed lead the NFL in primetime games, including banner night on Sunday Night Football against New England.
- Packers at Chiefs on Sunday Night Football in Week 5.
- Texans at Chiefs on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 (Halloween at Arrowhead).
- Chiefs at Chargers on Monday Night Football in Mexico City (if, you know, the field is OK) Week 11.
- Chiefs bye week in Week 12.
Take the Reddit rumors with a grain of salt, but I think we can all agree those would be fun games to look forward to if they are accurate.
Editor’s note: If you’re a Royals fan reading this, be sure to check out Royals Review.