The final couple months of the offseason were busy for the Kansas City Chiefs, who released their top wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, and fired their general manager, John Dorsey. I don’t see either move harming their chances to win this season. In fact, I’m giving the Chiefs a better record in this season prediction than I did when the schedule came out in April.

Week 1: 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Sept. 7, at New England Patriots

The Chiefs have many of the qualities a team must have to go into Foxborough and beat the Patriots. They’re well-coached, don’t beat themselves and have a veteran quarterback. In this case, however, that won’t be enough. Record: 0-1

Week 2: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Teacher vs. pupil in this one, with Andy Reid coaching against his former quarterback and assistant, Doug Pederson. The pupil doesn’t have as many good players and isn’t playing at home, so the teacher gets the victory. Record: 1-1

Week 3: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 24, at Los Angeles Chargers

The Chiefs have won six straight against the Chargers. A change of venue from San Diego to Los Angeles won’t change the result. Record: 2-1

Week 4: 8:30 p.m. ET Monday, Oct. 2, vs. Washington

Arrowhead Stadium will be loud for the primetime game in Washington’s first visit to K.C. since 2005. The Chiefs won’t let their fans down. Record: 3-1

Week 5: 8:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 8, at Houston Texans

It would be interesting if the quarterbacks in this game were Patrick Mahomes II for the Chiefs and Deshaun Watson for the Texans. Instead, it will probably be Alex Smith vs. Tom Savage. Advantage Chiefs. Record: 4-1

Week 6: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 15, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chiefs have never beaten Ben Roethlisberger in a game he started and finished. There’s a first time for everything, but it won’t be this time. Record: 4-2

Week 7: 8:25 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 19, at Oakland Raiders

This is a tough turnaround for the Chiefs. Traveling to the West Coast on a short week after a physical game with the Steelers is a tough ask. Record: 4-3

Week 8: 8:30 p.m. ET Monday, Oct. 30, vs. Denver Broncos

The Broncos aren’t such an imposing opponent for the Chiefs without Peyton Manning as their quarterback. Record: 5-3

Week 9: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 5, at Dallas Cowboys

This game is like last year’s road meeting with one of the NFC’s top teams, the Atlanta Falcons. The Chiefs will have enough to overcome an opponent with many offensive threats. Record: 6-3

Week 11: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 19, at New York Giants

This game concludes a stretch of five of six games against 2016 playoff teams. How much will the Chiefs have left in the tank by this point? Record: 6-4

Week 12: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 26, vs. Buffalo Bills

The schedule starts to flatten out for the Chiefs with this game. They better be in shape to take advantage. Record: 7-4

Week 13: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 3, at New York Jets

Another soft spot in the schedule for the Chiefs, who will win to set up the following week’s big showdown. Record: 8-4

Week 14: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 10, vs. Oakland Raiders

It doesn’t take much imagination to see this game being for AFC West supremacy, like the December game between the teams at Arrowhead was last season. The result won’t change. Record: 9-4

Week 15: 8:25 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 16, vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Philip Rivers will make the game close, as he usually seems to at Arrowhead. But the Chiefs will find a way, as they have recently against the Chargers. Record: 10-4

Week 16: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 24, vs. Miami Dolphins

Jay Cutler was the winning quarterback in his last game at Arrowhead in 2015 with the Bears. Look for him to do that again with his new team. Record: 10-5

Week 17: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 31, at Denver Broncos

The Chiefs have two straight wins in Denver. The last time they collected three in a row was 1967-69. The Chiefs will overcome their sorry history at Mile High Stadium. Record: 11-5