Last season was consumed by Chiefs fans in the context of a possibly historic season. Everything was about the run at the three-peat. After back-to-back Super Bowls, fans became a little numb to winning.
This team won a Super Bowl the year prior despite getting cute at left tackle with Donovan Smith. They followed that up by getting cute yet again with a second-round pick (Kingsley Suamataia) and Wanya Morris contending to protect Mahomes’ left side.
But it didn’t really matter. At least, until it did. The Chiefs needed only 16 games to lock up the one seed in the AFC. They won 15 regular-season games and got all the way back to the Super Bowl for a chance to make history.
The failed attempt to be the first team to win three Super Bowls was a painful watch. The Chiefs had absolutely no ability to protect Patrick Mahomes, and the game quickly got away from them.
This year, the gravity of the season doesn’t feel there like it did with last year’s chase. It feels different. A burden has been lifted that maybe we couldn’t entirely appreciate while in the middle of the pursuit for three.
Now, there isn’t as much pressure; 31 teams got what they wanted, and now everyone is at least a little bit ready to move on.
I feel, dare I say, more excited to watch and enjoy the Chiefs this season? Without the pressure of the threepeat, it is going to be fun to watch this version of the team play. I can’t wait to see their response to last season, starting on Friday in Brazil.
Do I think the Chiefs have enough to make it back? I predicted every game of the 2025 season, and here’s how I see it going.
Chiefs Schedule Predictions
Week One: at Los Angeles Chargers - Win 31-20 (1-0)
Week Two: Philadelphia Eagles - Win 27-20 (2-0)
Week Three: at New York Giants - Win 26-17 (3-0)
Week Four: Baltimore Ravens - Lose 35-32 (3-1)
Week Five: at Jacksonville Jaguars - Win 30-17 (4-1)
Week Six: Detroit Lions - Win 38-33 (5-1)
Week Seven: Las Vegas Raiders - Win 27-21 (6-1)
Week Eight: Washington Commanders - Win 38-35 (7-1)
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