Predicting Chiefs' Week 2 Opponent After Opening Game Announcement

It's time to start dreaming about the NFL schedule ahead of its official release on Wednesday. We already know the Chiefs will host the Ravens on September 5th for Thursday Night Football to start the year, but we can also get an idea about who Kansas City could play in Week 2 as well.

The Chiefs' full list of opponents has already been released. We don't know exactly when they'll play each team, other than the Ravens in Week 1, though that won't stop me from making an educated guess.

My official guess is that Kansas City travels to Atlanta to play the Falcons in Week 2 on Sunday Night Football. Here's why:

Chiefs Week 2 Schedule Prediction: Chiefs @ Falcons on Sept. 15 for Sunday Night Football

In each of the last two seasons, the Chiefs alternated facing AFC and NFC teams each of the first several weeks. They hosted the Lions in Week 1 last year, went to Jacksonville in Week 2, hosted the Bears in Week 3 then played at the Jets in Week 4 before facing the Vikings. In 2022, they were on the road against the Cardinals and Bucs while hosting the Chargers and Colts.

That makes me believe that an NFC team is more likely in Week 2 than an AFC one. Since Kansas City is at home on Thursday Night Football in Week 1, I'd guess the schedule-makers have the Chiefs on the road in Week 2.

Using that list of opponents, the only NFC teams the Chiefs play on the road are the Panthers, Falcons, and 49ers. Atlanta was one of the splashiest teams of the offseason, signing QB Kirk Cousins to lead an explosive offense. I think the NFL will save the 49ers game for later in the year and the Panthers aren't exciting enough, so the Falcons are a logical opponent.

Atlanta United FC does host an MLS match at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Saturday, September 14. However, putting the Falcons vs. Chiefs on Sunday Night Football could give the crew enough time to get the field ready.

The Falcons' only "primetime" game last season was in London with an early start, so giving them a home Week 2 primetime matchup could rectify that oversight too.

What better way to showcase a potential NFC powerhouse than against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions? The Browns could be a fit here if the NFL keeps the Chiefs in the AFC, but I'm forecasting a Week 2 trip to Atlanta.

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