the chiefs schedule reaction

"Our friends think we're opposites;
Falling in and out of love.
They all said we wouldn't last;
Still we manage to stay together.

There's no easy explanation for it,
But whenever there's a problem?
We always work it out somehow.
Work it out somehow ...

They said it wouldn't last!
We had to prove them wrong!
'Cause I've learned in the past?
That love will never do without you!

Other guys have tried before
To replace you as my lover.
Never did I have a doubt --
Boy?  It's you I can't do without!

I feel better when I have you near me,
'Cause no other love around
Has quite the same ooh ooh,
Like you do, do, do, do baby ...

They said it wouldn't last!
We had to prove them wrong!
'Cause I've learned in the past?
That love will never do without you!

Do without you?

Love will never do without you! ..."

-- "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson.  And allow me to say, for this song to only rank in the low 100s on the Billboard 500 of the 1990s is beyond a criminal outrage.  (I believe it was 116, if I remember the countdown I've spent two weeks listening to correctly.)

Set aside how great "Rhythm Nation 1814" is as a cd (and it's in my top twenty favorites ever * , with at least five bona fide top ten hits, including this song).  How can you listen to this song and conclude there were at least 115 songs in the 1990s that were better?!?!?!  How?  Oh well.  Let's move on to why we're here ... assuming I know what that reason is ...

(*: a countdown for another day.)

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Preseason Chiefs Football.

Week One.

Who: Cincinnati Bengals.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Saturday, August 10th, 7pm CT (KCTV).

What: I feel a great day coming for this one.  A lil' brunch on the patio, a lil' nap in the pool, a quick dinner off the grill, and show up for a half just to see what changes have been made at Arrowhead -- both inside the stadium and with the never ending nightmare known as "the parking setup" -- for the 2019 season.

Week Two.

Who: pittsburgh steelers.
Where: fake three rivers stadium.
When: Saturday, August 17th, 7pm CT (KCTV).

What: See above, except without the trip to Arrowhead; this one should be watched on The Deck.  Also, as noted many, many times, the steelers are my second most hated team in football -- even more so than the raiders.  I don't care if it's preseason; I want an ass whipping of biblical proportions for the Chiefs in this one.

Week Three.

Who: San Francisco 49ers.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Saturday, August 24th, 7pm CT (KCTV).

What: I know it's preseason, but maybe for a couple quarters we get the matchup I was so geeked for last year that never materialized in Week Three due to Jimmy G's tragic knee injury?  (A matchup we won't get again in the regular season until 2022 by the Bay.)  A pretty solid "let's see where we're at" game for the Chiefs, if we're being honest here.  Also, midnight volleyball has to be in play after the game in The Pool.  There's only one guaranteed poolside weekend after this weekend.  (Well, maybe two ... depending on the weather.)

And also, this is the one preseason game we'll probably tailgate at Arrowhead, weather permitting.

Week Four:

Who: Green Bay Packers.
Where: Lambeau Field.
When: Thursday, August 29th, 7pm CT (KCTV).

What: probably me hurling a bottle or three at my TV for Channel 5 pre-empting a live eviction on "Big Brother" for this craptacular three hour exhibition.

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Regular Season Chiefs Football.

Week One.

Who: Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11-0 in 2018).
Where: Alltel Stadium
When: Sunday, September 8th, Noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 30, Jaguars 14, Week Five 2018.

Meetings in "Fat" Andy Reid Era (Chiefs 3-0-0):

2013: Chiefs 28, at Jaguars 2, Week One.
2016: at Chiefs 19, Jaguars 14, Week Nine.
2018: at Chiefs 30, Jaguars 14, Week Five.

What: an intriguing opener.  The only competitive game these two have played in the "Fat" Andy Reid era saw Nick Foles start for the Chiefs.  He'll in all likelihood be starting for the Jags in this one.  I'm also fascinated to see how the Chiefs run game does against a fantastic Jaguars front seven.  Last year's matchup kind of negated the Jaguars advantage, thanks to monsoon like conditions for all of tailgating and most of the first half ** .  If dry conditions show up, this game should be far, far closer than it looks on paper.

Also, what a way to come full circle for the most anticipated season of my lifetime -- the "Fat" Andy Era kicked off in Jacksonville with this franchise at its' lowest point.  What a difference six years of competent coaching and management makes!

Odds I Attend: 5%.  I could possibly be talked into it as summer goes along ... but I wouldn't bet on it.

Early Prediction *** : Chiefs 34, Jaguars 24.

(**: this was the game The Bus wouldn't fire up.  Led to some hilarity as we closed down the tailgate, and I'm just standing there, half drunk, and my buddy Ryan comes up to me and goes "you have no idea what to do, do you"?  Considering I spend the tailgating breakdown getting all the chairs, tables, speakers, coolers, and assorted food items loaded onto The Bus and in their proper spot(s)?  He was absolutely right.  Also, there's something to be said for having nothing to do with breaking down a tailgate.  Kind of nice, actually.)

(***: all Early Predictions are subject to change when my season predictions come out in late August / early September.)

Week Two.

Who: oakland raiders.
Where: Oakland Alameda County Coliseum.
When: Sunday, September 15th, 3:05pm CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 35, raiders 3, Week Seventeen 2018.

Meetings in "Fat" Andy Reid Era (Chiefs 10-2-0):

2013: at Chiefs 24, raiders 7, Week Six.
2013: Chiefs 56, at raiders 31, Week Fifteen.
2014: at raiders 24, Chiefs 20, Week Twelve.
2014: at Chiefs 31, raiders 13, Week Fifteen.
2015: Chiefs 34, at raiders 20, Week Thirteen.
2015: at Chiefs 23, raiders 17, Week Seventeen.
2016: Chiefs 26, at raiders 10, Week Six.
2016: at Chiefs 21, raiders 13, Week Fourteen.
2017: at raiders 31, Chiefs 30, Week Seven.
2017: at Chiefs 26, raiders 15, Week Fourteen.
2018: Chiefs 40, at raiders 33, Week Thirteen.
2018: at Chiefs 35, raiders 3, Week Seventeen.

What: the final (?) showdown in The Real Black Hole.  This one should be special.

Odds I Attend: 0%.  My buddy Ryan's wedding to the lovely Alyssa is September 14th in (less than) lovely Springfield.  I hate missing this one ... but honoring friendship trumps a physical altercation by the Bay.  I think.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 41, raiders 38 (OT).

Week Three.

Who: Baltimore Ravens.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, September 22nd, noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 27, Ravens 24 (OT), Week Fourteen 2018.

Meetings in "Fat" Andy Reid Era (Chiefs 2-0-0):

2015: Chiefs 34, at Ravens 14, Week Fifteen.
2018: at Chiefs 27, Ravens 24, Week Fourteen.

What: the home opener.  A rematch of arguably the best game Arrowhead hosted last year (and amongst the most stressful of the "Fat" Andy Era).  I'm actually surprised this one didn't get 3:25 CT treatment, to be honest. 

Odds I Attend: 100%.  If only we could figure out what works as a main dish for Raven.  (Pause).  We got five months to figure it out.  I'm sure it will be amazing.  Our spread usually is.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 34, Ravens 14.

Week Four.

Who: Detroit Lions.
Where: Ford Field.
When: Sunday, September 29th, noon CT (FOX).

Last Meeting: Chiefs 45, Lions 10, Week Eight 2015 (London) **** .

Meetings in "Fat" Andy Reid Era (Chiefs 1-0-0):

2015: Chiefs 45, Lions 10, Week Eight 2015 (London).

What: the most worthless game on the schedule, save for Week Nine?  I mean, is there anyone who gives a rip about this matchup?  Although I must admit, as Matt Stafford's owner damned near every year in my main fantasy football league, I can't wait to see the bullsh*t garbage time numbers he throws up against the Chiefs secondary reserves.

Odds I Attend: 0%.  I know it's not quite an accurate quotation, but it deserves to be said.  ("the voice of reason" voice) IT'S DETROIT!!!!!!!!

Early Prediction: Chiefs 45, Lions 24.

(****: I'm fairly certain there has never been a less anticipated Sunday game in the "Fat" Andy Era, than this one was.  Although to be fair, there was a damned good reason for that.)

Week Five.

Who: Indianapolis Colts.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, October 6th, 7:20pm CT (NBC).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 31, Colts 13, AFC Divisional Round, 2018.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (2-2-0):

2013: Colts 23, at Chiefs 7, Week Sixteen.
2013: at Colts 45, Chiefs 44, Wild Card Round.
2016: Chiefs 30, at Colts 14, Week Eight.
2018: at Chiefs 31, Colts 13, Divisional Round.

What: prime time football at Arrowhead!  Seriously, how perfect does this look five months out -- an early October Sunday (so weather should be perfect) for an all day tailgate, leading into a three plus hour explosion of sound in support of the Red and Gold.  (sgt. hunter voice) It works for me ***** .

Odds I Attend: 100%.  This is one of the three games I am most geeked for on the schedule.  All three occur in October, for what it's ****** worth.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 38, Colts 35.

(*****: I originally got Hulu a few years ago for two primary reasons.  First, DirecTV Now didn't have DVR capability, and for the most part, every major network save CBS posts their shows to Hulu the next day.  Second, Hulu had every season of two shows I irrationally love, "Hunter" and "Law and Order: SVU", available on demand.  Now?  DirecTV Now has had DVR capability for pushing six months, and Amazon Prime has both "Hunter" and "SVU".  I have a feeling Hulu will be leaving the Casa de Stevo pretty soon.  After all, that's $13 that could be spent on a twelve pack of something.)

(******: I think I used the correct "it's / its" here.  I'm sure the folks at Make the Kansas City Star Great Again will correct me if I'm wrong.)

Week Six.

Who: Houston Texans.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, October 13th, noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: Chiefs 42, at Texans 34, Week Five 2017.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (4-1-0):

2013: at Chiefs 17, Texans 16, Week Seven.
2015: Chiefs 27, at Texans 20, Week One.
2015: Chiefs 30, at Texans 0, Wild Card Round.
2016: at Texans 19, Chiefs 12, Week Two.
2017: Chiefs 42, at Texans, Week Five.

What: a game that should be in prime time.  Hang on, let me look at what NBC has slotted into Week Six at this point ... steelers at "Super" Chargers.  Damn.  They're not booting the steelers this early in the season.  Let me see who CBS has slotted into the national window ... Cowboys at Jets.  Well Double Damn.  They're not booting the Cowboys this early in the season.  I'd check who ESPN has slotted into the Monday Night slot, but that might lead to a physical challenge (rimshot!)

Anyways, the first of many, many satisfying matchups between Patrick Mahomes "Of the Chiefs" and Deshaun Watson.

Odds I Attend: 100%.  This one is gonna be fun.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 45, Texans 30.

Week Seven.

Who: those people.
Where: fake mile high.
When: Thursday, October 17th, 7:20pm CT (FOX / NFLN).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 30, those people 23, Week Eight 2018.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (7-5-0):

2013: at those people 27, Chiefs 17, Week Eleven.
2013: those people 35, at Chiefs 28, Week Thirteen.
2014: at those people 24, Chiefs 17, Week Two.
2014: those people 29, Chiefs 16, Week Thirteen.
2015: those people 31, at Chiefs 24, Week Two.
2015: Chiefs 29, at those people 13, Week Ten.
2016: Chiefs 30, at those people 27 (OT), Week Twelve.
2016: at Chiefs 33, those people 10, Week Sixteen.
2017: at Chiefs 29, those people 19, Week Eight.
2017: Chiefs 27, at those people 24, Week Seventeen.
2018: Chiefs 27, at those people 23, Week Four.
2018: at Chiefs 30, those people 23, Week Eight.

What: a renewal of the greatest rivalry in professional sports.  At least in my opinion.  And in case you doubt me?  Of those twelve matchups so far in the "Fat" Andy Era?  SEVEN of them have been in prime time, and eleven of the twelve have started at 3:25 or later.  (Only last year's Week Eight matchup has been a noon game.)

Also, there is nothing in life I hate more than those people.  I despise that franchise so godd*mned much, I won't even refer to them by name.  I won't dignify them with that honor.

Odds I Attend: 100%.  Or, the same as my visiting The Green Solution on October 21st.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 30, those people 27.  As former coach Richard A. Vermeil once famously noted about fake mile high: "I have a perfect record there.  I'm 0-4."  A win here puts Patrick Mahomes "Of the Chiefs" at 3-0 there, and 4-0 against those people overall.

Week Eight.

Who: Green Bay Packers.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, October 27th, 7:20pm CT (NBC).

Last Meeting: at Packers 38, Chiefs 28, Week Three 2015.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (0-1-0):

2015: at Packers 38, Chiefs 28, Week Three.

What: if you don't view this as one of the four or five most anticipated games of the season, regardless of your rooting affiliation, then you just don't love this sport.  Aaron Rodgers versus Patrick Mahomes "Of the Chiefs" for quite probably the only time in their careers.  (Unless there's a Super Bowl matchup, the Chiefs and Packers don't play in the regular season again until 2023 at Lambeau.)

Odds I Attend: 100%.  If only to figure out what the hell the main course for the tailgate will be.  Some fudge packed with some good stuff from The Green Solution?  In the words of my high school history teacher, "stay tuned".

Early Prediction: Packers 45, Chiefs 42 (OT).  The Chiefs always lose one they shouldn't at home.  This is the one.  Still, even projecting this loss, find me a single Chiefs fan who wouldn't take 7-1 overall / 5-1 conference / 2-0 division, at the midpoint.  Because I sure as hell would take it.

Week Nine.

Who: Minnesota Vikings.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, November 3rd, noon CT (FOX).

Last Meeting: at Vikings 16, Chiefs 10, Week Six 2015.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (0-1-0):

2015: at Vikings 16, Chiefs 10, Week Five.

What: the most boring game on the home schedule.  Sorry, but I've seen Kirk Cousins at Arrowhead.  I'm not scared.

Odds I Attend: 100%.  What do you serve for Viking?  Veal?  Vermin?  Vulture?

Early Prediction: Chiefs 51, Vikings 3.  This has "ass kicking of biblical proportions" written all over it.

Week Ten.

Who: Tennessee Titans.
Where: Nissan Stadium.
When: Sunday, November 10th, noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: Titans 22, at Chiefs 21, 2017 Wild Card Round.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (1-3-0):

2013: Chiefs 26, at Titans 17, Week Five.
2014: Titans 26, at Chiefs 10, Week One.
2016: Titans 19, at Chiefs 17, Week Fifteen.
2017: Titans 22, at Chiefs 21, Wild Card Round.

What: road trip!  I have never been to Nashville, other than via a layover at their aeropuerto.  I'm really looking forward to this.  I've heard Nashville is one hell of a town.

Odds I Attend: 100%.  Plus you can block this one in at noon -- FOX has the national window, and NBC isn't kicking the Cowboys out of prime time.  Always helpful when figuring out travel plans.

(Note: please don't take that as a criticism of flex scheduling.  Nobody's a bigger proponent of flexing games than me.  And I really hope in the next broadcast negotiation coming up in two years, that Monday Night gets flex consideration.  An extra day is really not an imposition, if we're being honest.  Just request an extra PTO day.)

Early Prediction: Titans 34, Chiefs 14.  The Chiefs aren't winning every roadie I attend this year.  I already gave them a win at fake mile high, and a probable December trip to Chicago is still looming.

Week Eleven.

Who: Los Angeles "Super" Chargers.
Where: Estadia Azteca.
When: Monday, November 18th, 7:15pm CT (ESPN).

Last Meeting: "Super" Chargers 29, at Chiefs 28, Week Fifteen 2018.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (9-3-0):

2013: "Super" Chargers 41, at Chiefs 38, Week Twelve.
2013: at "Super" Chargers 27, Chiefs 24 (OT), Week Seventeen.
2014: Chiefs 23, at "Super" Chargers 20, Week Seven.
2014: at Chiefs 19, "Super" Chargers 7, Week Seventeen.
2015: Chiefs 33, at "Super" Chargers 3, Week Eleven.
2015: at Chiefs 10, "Super" Chargers 3, Week Fourteen.
2016: at Chiefs 33, "Super" Chargers 27 (OT), Week One.
2016: Chiefs 37, at "Super" Chargers 27, Week Seventeen.
2017: Chiefs 24, at "Super" Chargers 10, Week Three.
2017: at Chiefs 30, "Super" Chargers 13, Week Fifteen.
2018: Chiefs 38, at "Super" Chargers 28, Week One.
2018: "Super" Chargers 29, at Chiefs 28, Week Fifteen.

What: the first of two hu-yuge matchups likely to determine who will win the AFC West.  The Chiefs clinched the AFC West in 2016 and 2017 by beating the "Super" Chargers in December.  (They clinched in 2018 by beating the raiders in the season's final week.)  To clinch the division for a third time in four years by beating the "Super" Chargers, this one figures to be a must win.

Odds I Attend: 2%.  It'd take a lot of talking to get me to do this one.  A lot.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 38, "Super" Chargers 28.  The Chiefs are one fluke two pointer from having a ten game winning streak against these guys, and damned near all of those ten are by double digits.  I'll believe in the "Super" Chargers when they post a solid two plus score win against us anywhere.

Week Twelve.

Who: bye.

I'm interested to see how "Fat" Andy plays this one.  A bye the week before Thanksgiving (which already wrecks most team's schedules in one way or another) is not ideal.  On the other hand, is there anyone better at not only navigating the bye, but having his guys ready to play after it, than "Fat" Andy?

Week Thirteen.

Who: oakland raiders.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, December 1st, noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 35, raiders 3, Week Seventeen 2018.

Meetings in "Fat" Andy Reid Era (Chiefs 10-2-0):

2013: at Chiefs 24, raiders 7, Week Six.
2013: Chiefs 56, at raiders 31, Week Fifteen.
2014: at raiders 24, Chiefs 20, Week Twelve.
2014: at Chiefs 31, raiders 13, Week Fifteen.
2015: Chiefs 34, at raiders 20, Week Thirteen.
2015: at Chiefs 23, raiders 17, Week Seventeen.
2016: Chiefs 26, at raiders 10, Week Six.
2016: at Chiefs 21, raiders 13, Week Fourteen.
2017: at raiders 31, Chiefs 30, Week Seven.
2017: at Chiefs 26, raiders 15, Week Fourteen.
2018: Chiefs 40, at raiders 33, Week Thirteen.
2018: at Chiefs 35, raiders 3, Week Seventeen.

What: many of y'all's most hated rival makes its' annual visit to Arrowhead.  "Fat" Andy is 6-0 against oakland at Arrowhead with an average margin of victory of 18.  The closest contest saw the Chiefs win by only 11 ... in a game they led 26-0 entering the fourth quarter.

Whatever one may think of "Fat" Andy (and I certainly like him a lot), his focus and fascination with beating the bejesus out of our divisional rivals has to be admired and respected.

(Also, I love the word bejesus.  Whoever came up with that is a wordsmith, for sure.)

Odds I Attend: 100%.  The real question is, will I arrive sober?  I'm betting a great big "no" on that one.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 41, raiders 14.

Week Fourteen.

Who: New England Patriots.
Where: Gillette Stadium.
When: Sunday, December 8th, 3:25pm CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: Patriots 37, at Chiefs 31 (OT), AFC Championship 2018.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (2-3-0):

2014: at Chiefs 41, Patriots 14, Week Four.
2015: at Patriots 27, Chiefs 20, Divisional Round.
2017: Chiefs 42, at Patriots 27, Week One.
2018: at Patriots 43, Chiefs 40, Week Six.
2018: Patriots 37, at Chiefs 31 (OT), AFC Championship.

What: a rematch the entire nation will be tuned in to see.  Even the most biased anti-Patriots or anti-Chiefs fan has to concede, these two staged two of the ten best games from last season.

Also, it will be three plus hours of constant and continual reminder to us Chiefs fans that we were literally one play away from the Super Bowl -- the most obvious of those plays being Dee Ford's unforgivable offside penalty that negated Ward's interception that would have sealed a 28-24 Chiefs victory.

I swear, when it's all said and done, "cut" glen cadrez is going to be more loved by me than Dee Ford.  And I don't mean that as a compliment of either gentleman.

Odds I Attend: 5%.  I highly doubt it ... but there's always a chance.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 38, Patriots 27.  The Pats will be coming off a national showdown against the Cowboys, then a Sunday nighter at Houston.  Tough prep for both.  The Chiefs will be coming off a bye ... and make that essentially two byes, because if oakland at home isn't a layup for a title contender, you aren't a title contender.

Week Fifteen.

Who: those people.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, December 15th, noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: at Chiefs 30, those people 23, Week Eight 2018.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (7-5-0):

2013: at those people 27, Chiefs 17, Week Eleven.
2013: those people 35, at Chiefs 28, Week Thirteen.
2014: at those people 24, Chiefs 17, Week Two.
2014: those people 29, Chiefs 16, Week Thirteen.
2015: those people 31, at Chiefs 24, Week Two.
2015: Chiefs 29, at those people 13, Week Ten.
2016: Chiefs 30, at those people 27 (OT), Week Twelve.
2016: at Chiefs 33, those people 10, Week Sixteen.
2017: at Chiefs 29, those people 19, Week Eight.
2017: Chiefs 27, at those people 24, Week Seventeen.
2018: Chiefs 27, at those people 23, Week Four.
2018: at Chiefs 30, those people 23, Week Eight.

What: "The Day I Live For".  There is no day on the calendar that means more to me, than the day we host those people.

Odds I Attend: 100%.  If I never went to bed Saturday night, endured two transfers across three planes ******* , plus an Uber breaking every law of speed on the books, to barely make kickoff last year?  It's a safe bet I'll never miss this kickoff.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 34, those people 27.

(*******: those of you who know me best, know I am scared of heights, and pretty much terrified of flying.  The things I will do to avoid missing this game ...)

Week Sixteen.

Who: Chicago Bears.
Where: Soldier Field.
When: Sunday, December 22nd, 7:20pm (NBC).

Last Meeting: Bears 18, at Chiefs 17, Week Five 2015.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (0-1-0):

2015: Bears 18, at Chiefs 17, Week Five.

What: a possible Super Bowl preview?  At the very least, it should be two squads in the midst of fighting it out for their divisions, a bye, and possible home field advantage in their respective conferences.

Odds I Attend: 80%.  It all depends on the weather.  If it's above (or damned close to) freezing and the Chicago / KC corridor is plowed, I'm in.

Early Prediction: Bears 31, Chiefs 20.  I don't think this game will have much for the Chiefs, and it will show in their performance.

Week Seventeen.

Who: Los Angeles "Super" Chargers.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium.
When: Sunday, December 29th, noon CT (CBS).

Last Meeting: "Super" Chargers 29, at Chiefs 28, Week Fifteen 2018.

Meetings in the "Fat" Andy Era (9-3-0):

2013: "Super" Chargers 41, at Chiefs 38, Week Twelve.
2013: at "Super" Chargers 27, Chiefs 24 (OT), Week Seventeen.
2014: Chiefs 23, at "Super" Chargers 20, Week Seven.
2014: at Chiefs 19, "Super" Chargers 7, Week Seventeen.
2015: Chiefs 33, at "Super" Chargers 3, Week Eleven.
2015: at Chiefs 10, "Super" Chargers 3, Week Fourteen.
2016: at Chiefs 33, "Super" Chargers 27 (OT), Week One.
2016: Chiefs 37, at "Super" Chargers 27, Week Seventeen.
2017: Chiefs 24, at "Super" Chargers 10, Week Three.
2017: at Chiefs 30, "Super" Chargers 13, Week Fifteen.
2018: Chiefs 38, at "Super" Chargers 28, Week One.
2018: "Super" Chargers 29, at Chiefs 28, Week Fifteen.

What: a fourth straight division title?  A second straight bye?  Home field advantage?  A sixth prime time game via the final week flex?  This game could have immense meaning on the NFL's postseason picture ... or the Chiefs could have already clinched the West, clinched a bye, and simply need to take care of business against a fringe playoff team / also-ran to earn home field advantage.  Just like last year.  Lather, rinse, repeat.

Odds I Attend: 100%.  Are you kidding me?  Charger Chicken is my favorite tailgating spread of the year!  Especially the one that marinates in the merlot overnight.

Early Prediction: Chiefs 35, "Super" Chargers 23.  A comfortable win to end a comfortable season.

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All that means, my early prediction for the Chiefs is 13-3 overall / 11-1 conference / 6-0 division.  Is that realistic?  Against this schedule I say yes. 

But again, it's early.  And the good news is, as good as this team is on paper right now (and I'd argue it's the NFL's best)?

It only gets stronger tomorrow, and Friday, and Saturday, via the Draft.

There's never been a better time to be a Chiefs fan folks, at least in my lifetime.  And I'm almost halfway to 43.

Until next time (which may be sooner than you think)?  Hey!  (sgt. esterhaus voice) Let's be careful out there ...