When will Chiefs lose again? Kansas City’s upcoming schedule as win streak reaches 12 for last unbeaten NFL team
The Chiefs looked vulnerable at almost every turn this season, but the score at the end of 48 minutes is all that matters. In that category, Kansas City is unblemished.
The Vikings’ narrow loss to the Lions on Sunday left the Chiefs as the NFL’s only unbeaten, and Kansas City handled business in a Super Bowl rematch with the 49ers hours later to ensure that will remain true for at least one more week.
If it feels like the Chiefs just don’t lose anymore, that’s because they don’t. It’s been nearly 10 months since Kansas City’s last loss despite a slew of close games and nail-biting finishes.Â
Here’s what you need to know about the Chiefs’ win streak and when it might end.
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Chiefs win streakThe Chiefs’ win streak officially stands at eight, since the regular season is only considered for that purpose in the NFL record books, but it’s really 12. Kansas City has won 12 consecutive games dating back to Week 17 of last season.
A Christmas loss to the Raiders, who were down to Aidan O’Connell at QB and fired both their head coach and general manager midseason, seemed like rock-bottom for the Chiefs in 2023. It not only ensured Kansas City wouldn’t have a first-round bye to start the playoffs, but it reinforced in many minds that these Chiefs just didn’t have enough of an offense to defend their championship.
That was wrong, of course. It was rock bottom, but the Chiefs recovered so well that they haven’t lost since that day. Kansas City closed out the season with back-to-back wins — one over Jake Browning and the Bengals, another over the Chargers without playing most of their key starters — and they won close game after close game in the playoffs to capture another Lombardi Trophy.
Six games into 2024, the results have been similar. The games are close, the offense leaves something to be desired, but the wins are there. To Patrick Mahomes, that’s all that matters.
When will the Chiefs lose?The Chiefs don’t necessarily look like world-beaters, but if they haven’t lost yet, when will they?Â
A matchup with a hapless Raiders team in Week 8 doesn’t look like a serious challenge, even if Antonio Pierce knows how to game-plan against Andy Reid. The Chiefs host the Buccaneers in Week 9 and might have a hard time keeping up with a hot Baker Mayfield-led offense, but Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled and home-field advantage will make Kansas City a moderate favorite, at the very least.
It’s tough to envision Bo Nix faring well against the Chiefs’ defense at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 10. If the Chiefs do get to 9-0, the toughest test remaining on their schedule might be a Week 11 date with the Bills in Buffalo. Kansas City has the Bills’ number in the playoffs, but Buffalo has actually won three consecutive regular-season matchups with the Chiefs — all three of which were on the road.
With Amari Cooper now in the fold, the Bills have what it takes to give the Chiefs a serious challenge in the regular season.
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If the Chiefs make it to 10-0, however, start thinking about what it might take to go the distance. The Panthers, Raiders, Chargers, Browns, and Broncos make up five of Kansas City’s last seven games. A home matchup with the Texans followed by a date with the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Christmas are two of the tougher games, but it’s not worth thinking about the Chiefs’ chances just yet with those games two months away.
Here’s a complete look at the Chiefs’ remaining schedule.
Chiefs schedule 2024WeekDateMatchupTime8Oct. 27at Raiders4:25 p.m.9Nov. 4vs. Buccaneers8:15 p.m.10Nov. 10vs. Broncos1 p.m.11Nov. 17at Bills4:25 p.m.12Nov. 24at Panthers1 p.m.13Nov. 29vs. Raiders3 p.m.14Dec. 8vs. Chargers8:20 p.m.15Dec. 15at Browns1 p.m.16Dec. 21vs. Texans1 p.m.17Dec. 25at Steelers1 p.m.18Jan. 5at Broncos1 p.m.