Kansas City Chiefs: Complete 2011 Season Schedule Preview

The Kansas City Chiefs finished a surprising 10-6 last year, winning the division and making the playoffs for the first time in four years.

This season, they are out to prove to everyone that it was not a fluke, and they're a team that will contend for years to come. With a brutal schedule ahead of them, they will defiantly have their work cut out for them. But with the leagues No. 1 running game and new draft choice Jonathan Baldwin, they are up to the task.

Here is your complete 2011 Kansas City Chiefs season schedule preview.

September 11 vs. Buffalo

Chiefs trail the series (18-23-1)

The Chiefs had the most potent running game in the NFL last season, averaging 164 yards. Guess who was the worst at stopping the run? Yep, you guessed it. The Buffalo Bills.

New defensive tackle Marcell Dareus won't make much of a difference in this one. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones will lead the better team to victory.

September 18 at Detroit

Chiefs lead the series (7-4)

Interesting matchup early in the season between two teams that are on the rise. Kansas City is going to want to run the ball, while the Lions are going to try and air it out.

Doesn't sound like a game you would have circled on your calendar, but it should be.

September 25 at San Diego

Chiefs lead the series (51-50-1)

This game is the Chiefs chance to prove to rest of the NFL that they're for real. Sure the Chiefs won the division, but the Chargers are still the most talented and the favorite.

Kansas City has also lost 10 of the last 14 games between the two, including a 31-0 blowout last season.

Show us what you've got, Kansas City.

October 2 vs. Minnesota

Chiefs lead the series (6-4)

A game at home against a Minnesota team that is lacking at the quarterback position. I'm sure Christian Ponder is going to be great one day, but if you're the Chiefs, you have to capitalize. Especially if you expect to be a playoff team.

October 9 at Indianapolis

Chiefs trail the series (7-14)

The Chiefs have lost 10 of the last 11 meetings against the Colts. Good news is they have the formula to get a win this time.

Run the ball and keep Peyton Manning of the field. Easier said than done. Good luck.

October 23 at Oakland

Chiefs lead the series (54-48-2)

Coming off a bye, the Chiefs head to the black hole.

The Chiefs lost both meetings last year, and both games, quarterback Matt Cassel didn't play well. Maybe with new wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin will help take the pressure off of him.

Of course not facing Nnamdi Asomugha would help too.

October 31 vs San Diego

Chiefs lead the series (51-50-1)

An AFC West showdown is set on Monday night.

These teams met in Arrowhead last year on Monday night, and the Chiefs pulled off the upset of the weekend on opening week.

Hopefully, the weather will be nicer this time around, and we get another great game.

November 6 vs. Miami

Chiefs trail the series (12-15)

The top running team against one of the best teams at stopping it last year.

If the running game stalls, Kansas City could find themselves in trouble. Of course, the Dolphins aren't exactly scoring machines either.

November 13 vs. Denver

Chiefs lead the series (55-47)

The Broncos are a team that is in rebuilding mode, a new head coach and don't even know who their quarterback is going to be.

If the Chiefs want to return to the playoffs, they must beat teams like this.

November 21 at New England

Chiefs lead the series (16-12-3)

The NFL knows that the Chiefs are on the rise and are an exciting, electrifying team, so they earn their second Monday night game. The NFL also didn't do them any favors by scheduling it against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Same formula that they'll use against the Colts. Run the ball a lot and pray the clock runs faster than normal.

November 27 vs. Pittsburgh

Chiefs trail the series (10-17)

This game doesn't look good, especially if you're big on history. Dating back to 1994, the winner of the game lost the next game. Unfortunately, the Chiefs won the last game.

Tough to play two of the AFC's top two teams back to back. The Chiefs are going to need to get the crowd in it early to have any chance in this one.

December 4 at Chicago

Chiefs trail the series (4-6)

Once again, dating back to 1990, the winner has always lost the next game. Fortunately for you Chiefs fans, they lost the last game.

The Bears are great at stopping the run, but the pass, not so much. This is where Jonathan Baldwin comes in handy. Matt Cassel and company are going to have to make some plays to get out with a W in this one.

December 11 at New York Jets

Series is tied (17-17-1)

The late brutal schedule continues.

The Jets are phenomenal at stopping the pass and at stopping the run. The Chiefs may be moving in the right direction but don't think they're there yet to pull off a win in New York.

December 18 vs. Green Bay

Chiefs lead the series (6-3-1)

The tough schedule continues against the defending champion Green Bay Packers.

Once again, Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones have to eat the clock and move the chains to win this game. The Packers are too much of a complete team for the Chiefs to be able to handle if they get going.

December 24 vs. Oakland

Chiefs lead the series (54-48-2)

The Chiefs haven't won a home game against the Raiders since 2006.

Regardless of where they're at in the standings by the time this game arrives, Chiefs fans want a win against their hated rival.

January 1 at Denver

Chiefs lead the series (55-47)

This game could be huge depending on where the Chiefs are at in the standings. Otherwise, it will be a fun game to watch in the snow.

Maybe Tebow is the starter by then, and he gets another shot at Eric Berry like the good ole' SEC days.