3 Losses on Chiefs' 2024 Schedule That Would Be Catastrophic

The full 2024 NFL season schedule was released on Wednesday, revealing the Kansas City Chiefs' road to a potential Super Bowl three-peat. While some fans are disappointed at the hand that the defending champions were dealt, the Chiefs have more than enough talent to overcome an unfavorable schedule to continue making NFL history in the process.

But as good as the Chiefs are (which happens to be really good), there isn't a flawless. Kansas City's road to last year's Super Bowl win featured some unfortunate losses that could've derailed many teams. Fortunately, head coach Andy Reid is an expert at getting his team to rebound and get back on track.

Regardless of the team's bounce-back ability, there are certain games on the Chiefs' 2024 schedule that they shouldn't lose. With that in mind, losses against the following three teams would be nothing short of catastrophic.

1. Week 12 @ Carolina Panthers

Week 12 of the 2024 season features a matchup between last year's best and worst teams. While the Chiefs navigated the 2023 campaign to win their third Super Bowl in five seasons, the Carolina Panthers finished the regular season as the league's worst team with a 2-15 record.

The Panthers now have the displeasure of hosting the defending Super Bowl Champions in a matchup that the Chiefs shouldn't lose. Yes, general manager Dan Morgan has done everything in his power to upgrade the roster this offseason, but it's fair to say that the Panthers still aren't even close to being on the same level as Patrick Mahomes & Co.

Having said that, a loss to the Panthers would be extremely embarrassing for the Chiefs. Carolina was near the bottom of the league in most 2023 team statistics, including points for (T-31st), points against (29th), and average scoring margin (31st), whereas Kansas City ranked 14th, 2nd, and 5th, respectively, in those categories.

The Chiefs also haven't lost to the Panthers since 2008, winning the latest three meetings while outscoring by an average of 3.7 PPG. If anything, Carolina is much worse now than the team Kansas City last faced in 2020, meaning the margin of victory should be even wider even if the Chiefs are on the road.

Considering how the Chiefs also have to face the rival Las Vegas Raiders just five games after this clash, it's more evident that a loss must be avoided. A defeat to Carolina could put Kansas City in a bad head space, potentially opening the door for another upset loss to Las Vegas.

In other words, the Chiefs must handle their business at Bank of America Stadium. For now, they're currently the 7-point road favorites over the Panthers on DraftKings Sportsbook.

2. Week 10 vs. Denver Broncos

When you're a Kansas City fan, three guarantees in life are: death, taxes, and the Chiefs getting the better of the Denver Broncos.

Since November 2015, the Chiefs own an impressive 16-1 record over the Broncos. In fact, Kansas City had actually between its AFC West rival 16 matchups in a row before Denver shocked Chiefs Kingdom with a 24-9 upset victory in Week 8 last season. The Chiefs were their worst enemy that afternoon as they finished with five turnovers while being shut out in the second half.

The loss to the Broncos ended up kickstarting an alarming mid-season slide for the Chiefs. Including the loss to Denver, Kansas City went 3-5 between Weeks 8 and 16, leaving many to question if the latter was a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Obviously, the Chiefs rebounded from that slump and went on to win another Super Bowl, but that doesn't change the fact that they can't lose to the Broncos. It's not like Denver even has nine-time Pro Bowl gunslinger Russell Wilson anymore, instead opting to boast a QB room that features unproven rookie Bo Nix, journeyman Jarrett Stidham, and resident bust Zach Wilson.

The Chiefs beat the Broncos in 16 consecutive meetings for a reason, so let's chalk up last year's loss as a fluke. I trust that Kansas City has learned from its mistake and won't take Denver as lightly this time.

Unsurprisingly, DraftKings is heavily favoring the Chiefs over the Broncos ahead of the Week 10 clash, giving the home team a 9-point advantage on the spread.

3. Week 15 @ Cleveland Browns

One of the worst stretches of the Chiefs' 2024 schedule takes place in December. Andy Reid's team is being forced to play three games in a 10-day span and it all begins with a Week 15 collision with the Cleveland Browns. So, why would losing to the Browns be catastrophic?

For starters, there's nothing special about the Browns. Yes, they have good defense with some decent playmakers on offense, but they have several question marks, too. Deshaun Watson still looks like a shell of his former self while Nick Chubb still hasn't played since destroying his knee in Week 2.

That's without mentioning how Cleveland lost several key defenders to free agency, including linebackers Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki, cornerback Mike Ford, and defensive lineman Jordan Elliott.

Secondly, a loss to the Browns could send the Chiefs into a downward spiral. If Kansas City loses in Cleveland, the players and coaching staff only have six days to pull themselves together before hosting an incredibly tough Houston Texans team at Arrowhead Stadium. After that, there are only four days before the Chiefs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.

There just isn't enough time for the Chiefs to rebound from any disappointing losses during that December stretch. The last thing they need is to find themselves on a losing streak ahead of the postseason, which would surely put their chances of a three-peat at risk.

Fortunately, oddsmakers are feeling confident about the Chiefs beating the Browns on the road. According to DraftKings, Kansas City is the early 3-point road favorite to beat Cleveland in Week 15.

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