Kansas City Chiefs 2012 Schedule: Game-by-Game Analysis, Info and Predictions

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With the NFL releasing the 2012 regular-season schedule on Tuesday night, it's time to preview the Kansas City Chiefs' opponents in full.

The Chiefs' schedule this year will be highlighted by two back-to-back nationally televised games that will occur in the middle of the season.

Other than that, it looks like another tough slate of games for the red and gold.

Here is the info, along with my analysis and predictions, for every Chiefs' regular-season game in 2012.

Week 1: Vs. Atlanta Falcons

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Game time: Sunday, September 9th at noon

Analysis: The Chiefs will face a tough test right out of the gate of the 2012 regular season.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons will likely represent one of the best passing offenses that KC will face this season.

That said, I expect the Arrowhead crowd to be electric in this game and the Chiefs to come out and hold off Atlanta in their first game of the new campaign.

Prediction: Win (1-0)

 

Week 2: At Buffalo Bills

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Game time: Sunday, September 16th at noon

Analysis: When these two teams met least season, the Chiefs got steamrolled in their home opener.

The Bills won that game by a count of 41-7, and really had no problem in dismantling KC's offense and defense in that contest.

This year, the Chiefs will travel to Buffalo with hopes of getting revenge on their AFC neighbors to the east.

I expect this rematch to be much closer in 2012, with KC coming out on top in the end.

Prediction: Win (2-0)

Week 3: At New Orleans Saints

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Game time: Sunday, September 23rd at noon

Analysis: This matchup could end up being the toughest road game that the Chiefs have this season.

They will be going up against the No. 1 pass offense in the league from last year, which should once again be led by include former Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees.

If KC's defense can somewhat slow down Brees and the Saint's high-powered offense, they could have a chance in this game.

Needless to say, the Chiefs should have their work cut out for them in this one.

Prediction: Loss (2-1)

Week 4: Vs. San Diego Chargers

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Game time: Sunday, September 30th at noon

Info: The last two times that these teams met, both games were decided in the final seconds.

I don't expect this one to be any different.

Philip Rivers always seems to put together big passing games against KC's defense, but I think that the Chiefs can pressure him into turning the ball over, much like they did in both contests against San Diego last year.

Look for KC to come out on top in their first divisional game of the '12 season.

Prediction: Win (3-1)

Week 5: Vs. Baltimore Ravens

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Game time: Sunday, October 7th at noon

Info: The Ravens still possess one of the best defenses in all of football.

With Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata still on that unit, there aren't many offenses that want to face them right now.

The last time that KC played the Ravens, they got beat by 23 points in the first round of the '11 playoffs.

Just like the last time, I don't see home-field advantage being enough to save Kansas City in this game.

Prediction: Loss (3-2)

Week 6: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Game time: Sunday, October 14th at noon

Analysis: After a solid 2010 season that saw them go 10-6, the Tampa Bucs regressed badly in '11 by going 6-10 and losing their head coach in the process.

Regardless of their record last season, this is still a very young and talented Bucs team.

They still have QB Josh Freeman and RB LeGarrette Blount, who could easily give KC's defense fits in this game.

I still see KC grinding out a win in what should be a pivotal road game this early in the year.

Prediction: Win (4-2)

Week 8: Vs. Oakland Raiders

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Game time: Sunday, October 28th at 3:05 pm

Analysis: Last year, the Chiefs had a golden opportunity to potentially win the division with a victory over the Raiders at home.

In the end, they came up short, as they lost to Oakland in overtime in heartbreaking fashion.

This season will be much different as KC should be able to nearly match the Raiders' level of physicality on both sides of the ball.

Also, with that loss fresh on Chiefs' players minds from last season, I think that they will avenge it in 2012.

Prediction: Win (5-2)

Week 9: At San Diego Chargers

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Game time: Thursday, November 1st at 7:20 pm

Analysis: Realistically, the Chiefs were just one good drive away from coming out of San Diego with a much needed victory over the Chargers last season.

However, I don't this game being as close in 2012.

Sure, the Chargers lost some talent on offense in Mike Tolbert and Vincent Jackson, but they are always tough to beat at home.

As long as they have Philip Rivers, you can never count this team out in any game.

Prediction: Loss (5-3)

Week 10: At Pittsburgh Steelers

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Game time: Monday, November 12th at 7:30 pm

Analysis: This game against the Steelers will be the first of two nationally televised games that KC will enjoy this season.

It will also mark the first time that former Chiefs head coach and current Steelers' offensive coordinator Todd Haley has gone against his old team.

Can the Chiefs pull out a win in what should be one of their toughest road games in 2012?

I don't see it happening, as Big Ben and the Pittsburgh defense will be too much for KC in this one.

Prediction: Loss (5-4)

Week 11: Vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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Game time: Sunday, November 18th at noon

Analysis: The Bengals had a breakthrough season in 2011 when they won the NFC North division and made the playoffs for the first time in three years.

With Andy Dalton and A.J. Green on offense, they now have one of the most exciting offenses in the league right now.

However, they will be put to the test against KC's defense in Week 11 next season.

I see the Chiefs coming out on top in a nail-biter.

Prediction: Win (6-4)

Week 12: Vs. Denver Broncos

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Game time: Sunday, November 25th at noon

Analysis: The Chiefs will get their first look at Peyton Manning in a Broncos uniform in Week 12 of the '12 season.

Although I expect him to play much better in their second matchup, I think he will struggle in his first tilt with KC this year.

Over the years, Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel has had his number on defense and that should continue in this game.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tamba Hali and the KC pass rush wreak havoc on Manning in this game, considering that they will have the home crowd behind them.

Prediction: Win (7-4)

Week 13: Vs. Carolina Panthers

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Game time: Sunday December 2nd at noon

Analysis: The Chiefs will get their first look at last year's offensive ROY in the NFL when they do battle with Cam Newton and the Panthers to kick off their slate of December games later this season.

Newton is one of the most electrifying players in the league, and I expect him to play well in this contest.

However, the sophomore signal caller hasn't played in an environment like Arrowhead Stadium before and the Panthers defense will likely struggle against KC's talented offense.

Prediction: Win (8-4)

Week 14: At Cleveland Browns

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Game time: Sunday, December 9th at noon

Analysis: The Chiefs will travel to Cleveland in the second week of December to take on a Browns team that has been in a continuous downward spiral for years.

They have one of the worst offenses in the league and had the 30th ranked rush defense in the league last season.

It would be hard for me to believe that KC will have too many problems with the the Pat Shurmur-led Browns in 2012.

Prediction: Win (9-4)

Week 15: At Oakland Raiders

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Game time: Sunday, December 16th at 3:15 pm

Analysis: One of the biggest downfalls of the Oakland Raiders over the past few years has been their inability to win important games at home.

That being said, I expect them to reverse that in their home matchup against KC this year.

Really, this game could go either way, but something tells me that Carson Palmer, Richard Seymour and the Raiders will send KC packing with their third road loss of the campaign.

Prediction: Loss (9-5)

Week 16: Vs. Indianapolis Colts

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Game time: Sunday, December 23rd at noon

Analysis: Last year, the Chiefs were able to pull out a late fourth quarter win against the Colts on the road.

This year, they will likely be going against rookie QB Andrew Luck and an aging Indy defense that really let the team down in 2011.

Even with Luck at the helm, don't expect the Colts to come into Kansas City and hand them a home loss this late in the year.

Their Chiefs will simply have too many weapons this season to lose to a team that is clearly in rebuilding mode in the Colts.

Prediction: Win (10-5)

Week 17: At Denver Broncos

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Game time: Sunday, December 30th at 3:15 pm

Analysis: For the longest time, KC has struggled to win games in Denver.

Last season was an exception, as Kansas City was able to escape the Mile High city with a 7-3 victory.

Before that, the Chiefs were only able to manage one win over there since 2000.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, I don't see their second meeting against Peyton Manning and Co. going as smoothly as their first matchup next season.

Prediction: Loss (10-6)