5 Must-Win Games for the Chiefs in 2020

The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have one goal in mind for 2020: repeat. In addition to playing each of their division rivals twice, they will match up with the entire NFC South and AFC East divisions throughout their schedule. Here are five must-win regular season games for Kansas City in order to put together another championship run.

5. Week 6 at Bills

Patrick Mahomes warming up before Bills game / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Thursday Night Football is always difficult for both teams trying to win the game, but it gets a lot more difficult for the team on the road as soon as the fans get amplified. KC will have to travel to Orchard Park to play not only against the stout Bills defense, but a rowdy Bills Mafia crowd in primetime. Defensively, containing quarterback Josh Allen in the pocket and newly-acquired Stefon Diggs on the outside will be the key to KC’s success.

4. Week 1 vs. Texans

Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson will square off in the first game of the NFL season / Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Banner night against Houston is going to be full of fanfare for Chiefs Kingdom, but Andy Reid’s squad cannot get lost in the moment. Although Bill O’Brien has made some boneheaded decisions as head coach/general manager of Houston, they still have Deshaun Watson under center, one of the best at the position. Kansas City cannot afford to go down by 24 points again, the way the playoffs this past January played out.

3. Week 13 vs. Broncos

Von Miller will be hunting Patrick Mahomes in the backfield all night on SNF / David Eulitt/Getty Images

Denver is one of the most improved teams in the league this offseason. Drew Lock is expected to take the next step at quarterback, and Von Miller is still a terror off the edge. Patrick Mahomes and the offense need to be ready to put up points in this Sunday Night Football matchup against their heated division rivals at home.

2. Week 15 at Saints

The Chiefs secondary will need to keep tabs on Michael Thomas constantly in their matchup / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Over the last few years, New Orleans and Kansas City have been home to two of the most dynamic offenses in the league. In this matchup, KC will have to go to the Bayou to play in the Superdome. Preventing Drew Brees from finding Michael Thomas on the outside and Alvin Kamara on check downs will be of the utmost importance. In the middle of December, this game could affect playoff seeding on both sides.

1. Week 3 at Ravens

Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson will look to add another chapter into their young rivalry on MNF / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson once again. Anytime the most recent two NFL MVPs meet up, expect nothing less than a great show on both sides. KC will have another primetime road game here, as they play in Baltimore on a Monday night. Containing Jackson and forcing him to beat Kansas City with his arm is of the utmost importance. Although it is super early, this game could have AFC home field advantage implications.