Game-by-game Chiefs picks from writers who cover the teams KC will face in 2023

The natural sequel to the NFL’s schedule release is the game-by-game predictions for each team.

That was the case once again as writers across the country consulted their Magic 8 Ball and picked the outcomes of every game for the team they cover.

I looked at those game-by-game predictions for teams that will face the Chiefs in the 2023 season. Every writer thinks the team they cover will lose to the Chiefs this season.

You’re probably thinking that means the Chiefs are favored to win all 17 games, right? Well, not quite.

Writers who cover the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders all think their team will split the season series with the Chiefs. The 11 writers who don’t cover AFC West teams predicted the Chiefs will beat the team they cover.

Add it up, and opposing writers see the Chiefs finishing with a 14-3 record. Here’s a closer look.

Week 1: Lions

Michigan Live’s two writers both picked the Chiefs to win the NFL Kickoff Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 7.

Kyle Meinke wrote: “I just think winning an opener (which they haven’t done since 2017) in Kansas City (where the Chiefs were 10-1 last season) against Patrick Mahomes (who is coming off a second straight MVP season) is a lot to ask of anybody, much less a Lions team that will be breaking in a new safety pairing and an entirely new lineup at cornerback. Against, again, Patrick Mahomes.”

Week 2: at Jaguars

Cole Pepper of Jax Today sees the Chiefs spoiling the Jaguars’ home opener.

“Again, the quarterback matchup is the marquee draw — (Trevor) Lawrence vs. Patrick Mahomes,” Pepper wrote. “In Patrick Mahomes’ five years as a starter in Kansas City, the Chiefs’ worst seasons have resulted in trips to the AFC championship game. It would be a great start to the season if the Jags could pull off the upset. It would be an upset. I’m going with Kansas City.

Week 3: Bears

Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago has the Chiefs winning 34-17.

“It’s an early measuring-stick game for the Bears, but the defending Super Bowl champions have too much firepower,” Schrock wrote. “Patrick Mahomes carves up the Bears’ defense as the Chiefs roll to an easy win. Hope the BBQ is worth the trip.” (Editor’s note: it is)

Week 4: at Jets

Andy Vasquez of NJ.com picked a 28-21 Chiefs victory.

“Three years ago, the gap between the Jets and Chiefs was embarrassing as Kansas City dominated 35-9 sending the Jets back to Jersey at 0-8,” he wrote. “Patrick Mahomes once again gets the best out of the Jets, but after this thriller no one is laughing at the idea of having to face the Jets in meaningful games later this season.”

Week 5: at Vikings

Adam Patrick of the Viking Age blog thinks the Chiefs will win in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

“Mahomes and star tight end Travis Kelce will go up against a Vikings secondary that was one of the worst in the NFL last season,” Patrick wrote. “Minnesota’s pass defense should, hopefully, be a little better this year, but the improvements made likely won’t be enough to stop Kansas City’s lethal passing attack.”

Week 6: Broncos

Tim Lynch of the Mile High Report blog predicted the Chiefs will win 27-20 at Arrowhead.

“(Fifteen) straight losses. That’s where the Denver Broncos stand against their hated AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs,” Lynch wrote. “Their last win was in Week 2 of 2015, also on the road and on Thursday Night Football. Can they repeat that magic? Unlikely. Patrick Mahomes is no Alex Smith.”

Week 7: Chargers

Jason Reed of the Bolt Beat blog sees the Chiefs handing the Chargers a defeat that will make headlines.

“The Chargers’ first loss of the 2023 season comes all the way in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs,” Reed wrote. “While beating the Chiefs on the road in Arrowhead would be great, it is probably too much to ask for the Chargers to start 6-0 with a win over the Chiefs.”

Week 8: at Broncos

Lynch, who writes for the Mile High Report blog, sees the Broncos winning 38-34.

“Unlike the previous 350 seasons, the Broncos will NOT be swept by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023,” he wrote. “They shock their division rivals and hold on for a win for the first time since Peyton Manning was still playing in the NFL. Can I get an AMEN!?”

Week 9: Dolphins in Germany

Omar Kelly of the Dolphins’ Sports Illustrated website has the Chiefs prevailing in Frankfurt.

“Patrick Mahomes uses this international game as a stage to elevate his worldwide profile,” Kelly wrote, “carving up the Dolphins defense on a day when Miami’s offense is handcuffed by an injury-decimated offensive line that allows (Tua) Tagovailoa to get roughed up.”

Week 10: Bye

Week 11: Eagles

John McMullen of the Eagles’ site on SI.com has the Chiefs winning a Super Bowl LVII rematch.

“The Eagles will be looking for Super Bowl LVII revenge on the road against the best coach/QB combination of this era. Ain’t happening,” McMullen wrote. “The Chiefs win again.”

Week 12: at Raiders

Brad Weiss of the Just Blog Baby blog sees the Raiders pulling the upset in Vegas.

“Beating Kansas City is never an easy task for any team, but the Raiders have kept it close with them at times over the last few seasons,” Weiss wrote. “In this matchup, the Silver and Black head home after an East Coast trip to play the Dolphins, and are backed by a rowdy Allegiant Stadium crowd. Patrick Mahomes has his way with the Raiders’ defense, but (Raiders coach Josh) McDaniels keeps it on the ground for the most part, and (Josh) Jacobs steals the show with 150-plus rushing yards.”

Week 13: at Packers

Freddie Boston of the Lombardi Avenue blog forecasts a 24-23 Chiefs victory at Lambeau Field.

“A strong defensive effort almost led Green Bay to victory at Arrowhead Stadium in Jordan Love’s first start two years ago,” Boston wrote. “Like then, the defense keeps the Packers in the game, and Love also makes some impressive plays.However, Mahomes is just too good. With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, he leads his team down the field for a game-winning drive.”

Week 14: Bills

Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News thinks the Chiefs will avenge last year’s loss at Arrowhead.

“The defending Super Bowl champions are loaded again, and figure to remain that way with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce leading the way,” Skurski wrote. “If there is a question about the Chiefs, it’s at receiver, but truthfully, that’s not that big of a concern after Mahomes showed what he can do last year without Tyreek Hill.”

Week 15: at Patriots

Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston sees the Chiefs winning 27-23.

“In the JuJu Smith-Schuster Revenge Game, Smith-Schuster will be held to fewer than 50 yards receiving,” Perry wrote. “While Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo and Steve Belichick will have a creative plan drawn up for Patrick Mahomes, he’ll get his eventually — including some key scrambles late — and Kansas City will pull away in prime time.”

Week 16: Raiders

Weiss of the Just Blog Baby blog has the Chiefs winning this time around.

“At this point in the season, the Chiefs could be fighting for the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC, and they are not going to let the Raiders stand in their way,” he wrote of the Christmas Day game. “The Raiders will go into this game with a strong three-game win streak, but in the end, the Chiefs will be waiting with a lump of coal when they show up in Kansas City.”

Week 17: Bengals

Chris Roling of Bengals Wire sees the Chiefs winning.

“These games are a coin flip and there’s nothing definitively to say about an advantage in either direction,” Roling wrote. “Assuming both teams have something to play for here, the nod goes to the home team.”

Week 18: at Chargers

Reed of the Bolt Beat blog has the Chargers winning

“Even if the Chiefs have the division locked in, there will almost certainly be playoff-seeding implications for both teams, especially with there being only one first-round bye,” Reed wrote. “This is not a prediction based on the Chiefs’ potentially resting starters. This is the Chargers beating the Chiefs with both teams playing all their starters.”