If you thought the Kansas City Chiefs’ schedule was hard last season, the 2026 schedule is heavy on road games. In fact, from Week Four to Week 14, the Chiefs have only three home games. It’s a brutal schedule, but it does include six prime-time games, including a Turkey Night showdown at Buffalo.
The NFL knows where to butter its bread, and in the case of the Kansas City Chiefs, despite the uncertain return of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs get back-to-back prime-time games at Arrowhead to open the season.
However, that’s when the schedule changes, and they’ll play eight of ten games on the road before finishing December with three home games. It won’t be easy for Kansas City to use this schedule as the hallmark of their comeback season, but it’s clear the NFL values the Chiefs, and now they must earn their lofty status with six primetime games.
So how does it break down?
Week 1: Broncos vs. Chiefs (MNF) – The Broncos were AFC runners-up, and had Bo Nix not been injured in the divisional round, they could have made it to the Super Bowl
Week 2: Colts vs. Chiefs (SNF) – Daniel Jones did a phenomenal job last season, but an injury ended his season and the hopes of Colts fans for a playoff berth.
Week 3: Chiefs @ Dolphins – Miami had a fire sale, parting with their starting quarterback and two high-profile wide receivers.
Week 4: Chiefs @ Raiders – Will the Chiefs face Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza in the first of two AFC West battles this season?
Week 5: Bye Week
Week 6: Chargers vs. Chiefs – Los Angeles might have a tougher schedule than the Chiefs, and this road test will say much about their trek to unseat Denver and KC.
Week 7: Chiefs @ Seahawks (SNF) – Kenneth Walker III gets to return to Seattle after being named Super Bowl MVP.
Week 8: Chiefs @ Broncos – Round two will be in Denver, and this battle in Denver could be significantly different for one of these teams.
Week 9: Jets vs Chiefs – No team had a better offseason and draft than the Jets, but they still have a long way to go to compete in the AFC.
Week 10: Chiefs @ Falcons – Will Tua be the starter in 2026, or will Atlanta go with Michael Pennix?
Week 11: Cardinals @ Chiefs – Arizona made a smart first-round pick in Jeremyiah Love. Can he be a force in the NFC this season?
Week 12: Chiefs @ Bills (Turkey Night SNF) – The highly touted AFC matchup gets a special Turkey Night game in Buffalo. This could be a big game for postseason seeding.
Week 13: Chiefs @ Rams (TNF) – It’ll be a homecoming of sorts for Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, but will Kansas City spoil their first matchup against the Rams?
Week 14: Chiefs @ Bengals – The big question is Joe Burrow’s health. Will he be available for this late-season matchup?
Week 15: Pats @ Chiefs (MNF) – The Super Bowl runners-up have had a turbulent offseason, but can they compete with the best in the NFL in 2026?
Week 16: 49ers vs. Chiefs – The 49ers should be among the top teams in the NFC, but they’ve been inconsistent over the past three seasons.
Week 17: Chiefs @ Chargers – The Chiefs will face a large crowd in Los Angeles for this game, but will it determine the winner of the AFC West?
Week 18: Raiders vs. Chiefs – Las Vegas isn’t expected to do much in 2026. If Mendoza is starting at this point, playing in Kansas City will be a major test for the young quarterback.
