KC Chiefs: Predicting The 2015 Season Schedule

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) and quarterback Andy Dalton (14) – Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, October 4th, 2015 at Cincinnati Bengals (12:00 CST)

At last the KC Chiefs will return to a regular Sunday noon kickoff game, but they will do so on their third road game in only four weeks. Not only that, but they’ll face their third straight team who made the playoffs last season in the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals are a team that is somewhat similar to the Chiefs. They have the longest playoff win drought despite making appearances in the postseason four seasons in a row. Their quarterback, while efficient, is not respected by the fans (in fact, he was actually booed during the celebrity softball game that took place during the MLB All-Star Game). Their running game is good. Their defense is good.

These are two teams who have the tools to succeed, but struggle to do so.

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The last time the Chiefs and the Bengals met was in 2012 when the Chiefs were just awful, but up until that point, Kansas City usually had the advantage whenever the two played.

Originally when I saw this season’s schedule, I had this game marked as a loss. I thought about it more as time went on though, and I really think Kansas City has a better team than Cincinnati. Andy Dalton is the type of quarterback who plays either really well or really bad, there’s typically not an in between for him (the really bad comes out during the playoffs usually).

Dalton has big time receiver A.J. Green to throw the ball to, but fortunately for Kansas City, this game will serve as the triumphant return for cornerback Sean Smith. Smith will be returning from a three-game suspension.

If Kansas City’s defense shows up in full effect in this game, then it could be a long day for Dalton. The Bengals aren’t necessarily a team who plays better at home, so I’d give the edge to the KC Chiefs in this one.

Prediction: While many will likely pick Cincinnati to win a home game here, I think the Chiefs go to The Jungle and dominate. They’ll bring home their second win of the season by a score of 31-14.

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