3 Games Chiefs Must Win At All Costs on 2024 Schedule

It's finally time to break down the Chiefs' 2024-25 schedule as we know the week-by-week matchups. Kansas City enters as the favorite to win the AFC for a reason, though it's still a loaded conference with several worthy contenders.

At this point, the only "must-win" games for the Chiefs come in the playoffs. We learned last year that the organization can afford a few stinkers as long as they're locked in once January rolls around. That being said, there are still some matchups that Kansas City can't afford to lose.

We already know about the trap games, though there are some marquee matchups the Chiefs need to win to prove they're Super Bowl favorites. Let's look at three of them here.

3 Games Chiefs Must Win on 2024 Schedule

1. Week 1 vs. Baltimore Ravens - Sept. 5, 7:20 PM

The Chiefs can't lose two home openers in a row, can they? After the disappointing start to last year's season, Kansas City has a huge opportunity to attone for past mistakes. While last year's loss came to the Lions, the Chiefs can earn a critical head-to-head tiebreaker over an AFC contender.

Baltimore hosted the AFC title game last season. It didn't ultimately matter, but I think Kansas City would prefer to play at home this time. Travis Kelce and Chris Jones both didn't play in Week 1 against Detroit, though we don't anticipate any more contract disputes or lingering injuries.

Thus, the Chiefs shouldn't have any excuses. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will want to prove their 17-10 loss was a fluke, especially in the bizarre way the coaching staff went away from the run. Steve Spagnuolo called a near perfect game, though I'd guess Todd Monken has some new tricks up his sleeve this time.

The Ravens have to feel like they let a win slip away, especially after L'Jarius Sneed's incredible forced fumble at the goal line on Zay Flowers. Baltimore will be hungry, and the Chiefs can't afford the lapses in concentration that plagued them occasionally last season.

We'll see if Rashee Rice is able to play or if he'll be suspended, though Kansas City should win either way. The Chiefs are favored but will face the Bengals in Week 2. If Kansas City gets off to a slow start and lose, suddenly that Cincinnati matchup becomes dangerous.

Let's just start the year with a win and avoid any catastrophies.

2. Week 4 @ Los Angeles Chargers - Sept. 29, 3:25 PM

This'll be Jim Harbaugh's first chance to take down Andy Reid and the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. I don't expect the Chargers to compete for the AFC West title for another year or two, though that could chance if Los Angeles pulls off the upset here.

The Chargers open the season with the Raiders, Panthers, and Steelers before this Week 4 matchup. That's quite possibly the easiest starting stretch for any team, and Los Angeles is favored in the first two though short underdogs against Pittsburgh. Personally, I think the Chargers should win all three games.

If they're 3-0 or even 2-1 going into this game, national media will be ready to proclaim the Chargers have arrived if they beat the Chiefs. Should the Chiefs stumble in one of their first three games, they could quickly find themselves two games back in the division through only four weeks.

The Chiefs have five straight wins over the Chargers, though four of those victories came by one score. Even when Los Angeles struggles, they always seem to give Kansas City a tough contest.

Harbaugh will have his guys fired up for this one, so the Chiefs need to ensure they don't drop a stunner. After facing the Ravens, Bengals, and Falcons to start the year, Kansas City can put an exclamation mark on a hot start with a win.

3. Week 16 vs. Houston Texans - Dec. 21, 12:00 PM

This is the middle of the most difficult stretch in the Chiefs' schedule. They'll play three games in 10 days, concluding on Christmas Day, and Houston represents a stiff challenge even at home. The Texans are a popular pick to make a deep run in the playoffs with C.J. Stroud, and the Stefon Diggs acquisition gives them one of the NFL's most dangerous offenses on paper.

If the Chiefs beat the Ravens and Bengals early, the Texans might be the last team standing between Kansas City and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. A victory here could essentially wrap up home-field advantage and bring the AFC Championship back to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. However, Houston won't go down without a fight.

I think the Texans are the biggest threat to the Chiefs in the AFC this season. They've got tons of young ascending players, a smart coaching staff, and a QB that looks like the real deal.

Kansas City can squash the Houston hype late in the season. A loss here would leave the team with questions going into the playoffs and could lose that No. 1 seed. It's a brutal spot in the schedule, but one the Chiefs need to escape with a victory regardless.

Getting through December healthy is almost as important as winning though. It's worth noting that the Texans have to play three games in 10 days too and theirs come against the Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens. That's an even harder stretch than Kansas City's, so I'm confident in the Chiefs' chances.

Even still, this is a scary matchup on paper that the Chiefs need to win.

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