By admin 
A disappointing 2025 season saw the Kansas City Chiefs finish with a 6-11 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Chiefs are hungry to turn things around and get back in playoff contention, but they have the fifth-hardest schedule in the NFL.
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It would appear on paper Weeks 12-18 are going to be the hardest stretch of games the Chiefs will have, facing six possible playoff teams with only three home games. Weeks 12-14, a trio of away games, will most likely define the team’s season. Having their bye week early in the season in Week 5 also sets the Chiefs at a rest disadvantage.
The trek of Weeks 12-18
With four games on the road, five against teams that made the playoffs last season and three prime-time games, Kansas City is looking at its hardest games in Weeks 12-18. Let’s break it down.
Week 12:Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are on the road to face Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day. Chiefs vs. Bills has become a yearly rivalry that is arguably bigger than any divisional game, especially because the Chiefs have not won in Buffalo in the regular season since 2020. The outcome of Week 12 will likely be a factor for both teams when it comes to their playoff standings.
Week 13: For the second week in a row, the Chiefs have another prime time game featured on Thursday Night Football. Kansas City will stay on the road, facing the Los Angeles Rams and former teammates, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. According to ESPN, the Rams are expected to be a top team this season, meaning the Chiefs will have to step up their game in LA.
Week 14: Continuing their away-game-streak, Kansas City will be met by Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. This game is particularly important because the Chiefs have never won in Cincinnati with Mahomes as the starting quarterback.
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Week 15: Kansas City returns home to Arrowhead to face last season’s Super Bowl contenders, the New England Patriots, in yet another prime time game on Monday Night Football.
Week 16: The Chiefs stay home to face NFC opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, where the defense will have to outsmart the 49ers’ trio of Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey.
Week 17-18: Kansas City will face two divisional opponents in a row, the Los Angeles Chargers on the road and the Las Vegas Raiders at home. These last two games might decide the division champion. Even if the Raiders aren’t considered to be legitimate playoff contenders, it very well could be a must-win game for the Chiefs against an arch-rival.
As daunting as the final seven weeks of the regular season look for the Chiefs, fans shouldn’t fret too much. With Mahomes hopefully healthy, and with the help of Kenneth Walker III in the run game, these games, if they go as hoped, should set Kansas City up for success.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM.