The Kansas City Chiefs were beset by injuries last year to several star players, and their inability to win a second straight AFC West title certainly won't do them any favors looking ahead for hopeful primetime television placements in the 2012 NFL schedule. Yet it's clear that as the schedule is announced tonight at 6:00pm CT, the Chiefs will have at least one prime spot to showcase their talent on national television.
As the NFL announced earlier, the league changed the Thursday Night Football rotation so that every single team will have a chance to play at least once in the spotlight. This increases the brand of every team and should give stars like Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry a chance to remind people of their greatness.
"This will result in every team appearing in Thursday football games and every team having a prime-time appearance throughout the season," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at his annual state-of-the-NFL news conference during the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVI.
If the Chiefs are playing extremely well, tough divisional contests with Peyton Manning and the Broncos could shift to a Sunday Night for NBC if it's desirable enough and both teams are competitive. The same can be said for the Chargers. The Chiefs also play tough games against the Saints, Steelers and Ravens, so all three games could find a primetime home. At the very least, however, the Chiefs will have one shot to take on an opponent with all eyes on them.
For more on the team's offseason and the road ahead, check out Arrowhead Pride for the best Chiefs online community around.