We know that Kansas City is going to be a dangerous team with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. But how will the Chiefs respond after choking away a 21-3 second-quarter lead against an inferior Bengals team at home in last season's AFC Championship Game? How will Kansas City's revamped receiving corps perform without Tyreek Hill? For once, Andy Reid's team faces a myriad of questions with Mahomes at the helm. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-round rookie Skyy Moore will try to fill the receiver void, but the unit could be a work in progress. Fortunately, Mahomes has future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce to help shoulder the load.
The NFL did the Chiefs no favors with their early season schedule. Kansas City will play five 2021 playoff teams in their first seven games and the other two opponents, the Chargers and Colts, each missed the postseason by losing in Week 18. It's possibly the most difficult opening slate any team will face this season. Kansas City's schedule has a few relatively easy two-week stretches but overall, it might be hard for the Chiefs to match their previous regular season win totals with Mahomes and Reid: 12, 14, 12, and 12. It also doesn't help that they play in what looks to be the most competitive division in football this year, the AFC West.
While the Chiefs remain a fairly solid bet to make the playoffs, a division title is no longer a lock. The 10.5 win over / under by Caesars Sportsbook offers value for those who think the Hi ll loss will or won't be significant. While Kansas City will be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs, home or away, +500 to win the AFC still seems a bit light considering the questions on offense.'
- More NFL futures:'SportsLine Projection Model's best bets
Below, you'll find the Kansas City Chiefs 2022 schedule, win total and more futures odds from Caesars Sportsbook, followed by picks from top SportsLine NFL analysts Larry Hartstein and R.J. White.