KC Chiefs: Ranking the 2015 Schedule

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (left) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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8. — @ San Diego Chargers — Week 11

Something about playing the Chargers is just not that enticing. Maybe it’s because the Raiders and Broncos are such great rivals, hatred toward the third division foe seems forced. However, the interesting thing about this game is that the rest of the country will be watching as well on Sunday Night Football. This moves it up a few notches, especially considering one division game can make or break the Chiefs’ chances at a division title.

7. — vs. Chicago Bears — Week 5

The Bears are kind of like their baseball brethren, the Cubs, in the fact they rarely win but always bring some intrigue with them. While Wrigley Field is the big draw for the Cubs, its all the drama quarterback Jay Cutler brings to the table that have football fans paying attention to the Bears. Each year Cutler’s big arm brings big expectations, that he and his teammates have failed to live up to recently. However, even coming off a 5-11 season, there’s just always something interesting about playing against one of only two remaining original NFL teams formed nearly 100 years ago. Not having Big Play Brandon Marshall on the team cuts down on the entertainment factor as well.

6. — @ Houston Texans — Week 1

Playing the Texans may not be sexy on paper, but this equates to the closest thing to a must-win in Week 1 the NFL has ever seen. The Chiefs head to Houston, one of the better defensive teams in the league, before playing Denver at home and Green Bay and Cincinnati on the road in successive weeks. It’s entirely possible the Chiefs lose two of those three games, and if so, a loss to the Texans puts them at 1-3. Only one team since 1990 has won the Super Bowl* with that kind of start — the 2001 New England Patriots. It’s entirely possible Kansas City wins in Weeks 2-4, but a victory against Houston will certainly soften the blow if they don’t.

5. — vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — Week 7

The Steelers provide intrigue whenever the play, however the October match-up will be the fourth time in the past five seasons the teams have played each other. It’s not exactly a novelty for the two to match-up on the field. That being said, the Steelers are still the Steelers, and the winner of this game could reap the benefits of a possible tie-breaker in the race for a playoff spot. Pittsburgh is coming off an 11-5, AFC North Division championship season, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Co. have to get old someday right? No, Troy Polamalu certainly brings down the excitement factor a notch.

*The link provided only includes info through the 2012 Super Bowl. However, none of the winners since then (Baltimore, Seattle and New England), started 1-3.

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