Chiefs midseason outlook: Schedule eases up

After a 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 18 dropped them to a disappointing 1-5, the Chiefs seemed dead in the water. The Royals were surging, on their way to a World Series title, while coach Andy Reid’s team was capsizing during a season that began with great expectations.

But now, three weeks later, things don’t look quite as bleak for the Chiefs. In fact, depending on your perspective, they might be set up for a big comeback.

The Chiefs, 3-5, have won their last two games, and Charcandrick West has done an admirable job replacing star running back Jamaal Charles, who is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

But most importantly, the schedule over the last half of the season doesn’t appear to be nearly as daunting than their first eight games, which featured a three-game stretch against Denver, Green Bay and Cincinnati, who are now a combined 21-3.

Here’s a look at the Chiefs’ final eight games, complete with opponents’ records and a quick thought on each as the Chiefs’ prepare for the home stretch:

Sunday at Denver (7-1): The chance for revenge. Reid is 0-5 against Denver as the Chiefs’ coach, and their 31-24 loss on Sept. 17 — which came courtesy of Charles’ late fumble — was particularly crushing. But it says a lot about the Chiefs’ talent level that they almost won that game, despite five turnovers. If they can find a way to upset Denver, they could emerge as one of the league’s best comeback stories over the second half of the season.

Nov. 22 at San Diego (2-6): The Chargers also are plenty disappointing this year, but injuries to the offensive line have crushed them. Receiver Keenan Allen is out for the year, while offensive linemen King Dunlap and Orlando Franklin have each missed time. It seems like every Chiefs-Chargers game is close, however, and if quarterback Philip Rivers gets hot, anything can happen.

Nov. 29 vs. Buffalo (4-4): The Bills boast a strong defensive front, which could spell trouble for an offensive line that has been better recently but struggled on the whole. The Bills lost two games without starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, but though he’s back he’s probably not going to strike a ton of fear at Arrowhead Stadium. By the way, this will be the Chiefs’ first game at Arrowhead since their 23-13 win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 25.

Dec. 6 at Oakland (4-4): After spending the last several years as a perennial doormat, the Raiders are one of the league’s pleasant surprises. The offense boasts some really intriguing young talent, led by quarterback Derek Carr, running back Latavius Murray and receiver Amari Cooper. The Chiefs lost in Oakland last year on Thursday Night Football, but that was on a short week. With a full week to prepare, Reid should be able to cook up some revenge..

Dec. 13 vs. San Diego (2-6): The Chargers are 3-3 at Arrowhead Stadium over the last six years. This is another coin-flip game, but it’s definitely winnable. It will be interesting to see whether 2015 first-rounder Melvin Gordon can get going by then. Before Monday, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back was averaging 3.7 yards per carry on 103 carries and had failed to score a touchdown.

Dec. 20 at Baltimore (2-6): The Ravens, traditionally one of the league’s best teams, are in the midst of a very disappointing season themselves. But the Ravens have been very unlucky, losing all six games by a single score. Like the Chiefs, their schedule eases up some over the next second half of the season.

Dec. 27 vs. Cleveland (2-7): Coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer are on the hot seat, and the Browns remain unsettled at quarterback. Meanwhile, longtime Chief Dwayne Bowe — who received $9 million guaranteed this offseason — has caught just three passes for 31 yards this season. His return to Arrowhead will be interesting, to say the least.

Jan. 3 vs. Oakland (4-4): After losing six in a row at home to the Raiders from 2007 to 2012, the Chiefs have won the last two matchups. If all goes really right over the second half of the schedule, the Chiefs will be gunning for, say, their ninth win of the season. It’s not out of the question — they are talented enough to mount a rally — but their second-half hopes could depend on whether they can kick things off right with a win over the Broncos on Sunday.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 10:14 PM with the headline "Chiefs midseason outlook: Schedule eases up."