Top prime-time possibilities for the Chiefs in 2022
During the 2021 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs continued to have a strong presence in prime time.
The Chiefs were awarded five primetime appearances for the fourth consecutive season. Could the upcoming season make the fifth straight season that this team is awarded five games in prime time? I think it’s a strong possibility.
We already know that they’ll play in at least one prime time game for their home opener, which will take place Thursday, Sept. 15th on “Thursday Night Football” against the Los Angeles Chargers. With the NFL set to officially release the regular-season schedule on Thursday night, here is a look at six potential options for Kansas City in prime time for 2022:
Chiefs vs. Bills
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The divisional-round game between the Chiefs and Bills last season was so exciting that the results of the game finally got the NFL to change their archaic overtime rules. So long as Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are quarterbacking these two teams, we’re going to see them face off in prime time. It would be the least bit surprising to see this game occur in prime time.
Chiefs @ Broncos
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Get ready for the NFL pushing the Broncos to prime-time now that they have a quarterback who has been in the spotlight before. I get the sense that the league is going to push some sense of a rivalry-renewed with Kansas City, especially with Denver’s current 13-game losing streak to the Chiefs. Putting them in prime-time at home against K.C. gives them the best chance to squash that losing streak.
Chiefs vs. Rams
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These two clubs have changed considerably since they posted the third-highest-scoring game in NFL history on “Monday Night Football” back in 2018. I’m not certain they’ll be able to recapture that level of scoring output, but putting the reigning Super Bowl champions up against one of the best teams in the AFC could hardly be considered a bad move.
Chiefs @ 49ers
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This will mark the first rematch between these two clubs since the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV win over the 49ers. San Francisco could also be starting a new quarterback in Trey Lance, who has earned some comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. There’s also something to be said about a matchup between Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan — you’re going to be getting a lot of unique and exciting moments on offense.
Chiefs @ Buccaneers
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Tom Brady. Patrick Mahomes. Do I need to say more? The sixth matchup between these two quarterbacks will likely determine whether Brady goes out with a winning record against Mahomes. The Chiefs and Mahomes should have a bit of a chip on his shoulder here after having lost badly to the Bucs in Super Bowl LV. It certainly has all of the drama that makes for a good prime-time matchup.
Chiefs @ Bengals
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The Bengals were the biggest thorn in the Chiefs’ side in the AFC conference last season. It’s no surprise that Kansas City went out and revamped their defensive secondary and diversified their receiving corps after the two losses to Cincinnati. Could the rematch of the 2021 AFC title game be played in prime time?
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