The Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets will face off at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 9 in a game that should be an excellent opportunity for both teams to end their losing streaks.

At 5-2, the Chiefs squandered a perfect start to their 2026 regular-season campaign in Weeks 7 and 8. New York is 2-6 after its first eight games, and the Jets are looking like one of the teams that will contend for the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Take a look at our staff predictions for Kansas City's matchup against New York:

Ed Easton Jr.'s prediction

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a must-win and should-win scenario against the struggling New York Jets at Arrowhead Stadium. All eyes will stay on kicker Harrison Butker as the pressure mounts after another tough miss last Sunday.

Offensively, the focus will be on Kenneth Walker III again, but the odds of the reigning Super Bowl MVP having three consecutive low-production games are slim. Patrick Mahomes has another opportunity to see what his wide receivers can do ahead of the trade deadline, with so much speculation regarding the team’s plans.

The defense needs a dominant performance and, most importantly, to secure sacks on Geno Smith. Chris Jones has heard plenty of criticism this season but can quiet all the noise with a breakout performance.

Sam Teets' prediction

Don’t overlook the Jets. Six of the team’s first eight games were decided by one score, including contests against presumptive playoff teams like the Lions, Packers and Patriots. This isn’t a get-right game for the Chiefs. It’s a real challenge against a Jets defense that ranks 11th in the NFL in sacks and is among the league leaders in forced fumbles.

Breece Hall returns this week, but Garrett Wilson won’t play due to a concussion. The Jets have the offensive line to hammer the Chiefs in the run game and keep Geno Smith clean for deep strikes to Omar Cooper Jr. and Adonai Mitchell. The Chiefs, who are tied for last in the NFL with nine sacks, must find a way to put heat on Smith in the pocket.

Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is still one of the stingiest in the NFL, only allowing 18.7 points per game. However, the team misses the game-changing young players who frequently flashed earlier in the year, including Mansoor Delane and Peter Woods, who were ruled out for Week 9. Other players need to step up.

This game could turn into an offensive shootout or devolve into a defensive stalemate. Either way, expect a messy and challenging week for the Chiefs.

Jon Ediger's prediction

The Kansas City Chiefs desperately need to bounce back against the Jets after last week's loss to the Denver Broncos. Three straight losses could easily push them out of playoff contention at this point in the season.

The Chiefs got a shot in the arm last week with the return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, but running back Kenneth Walker remains the focal point of the offense. Walker's two-game streak of subpar play has certainly been frustrating, but he will likely return to form this week. New York ranks 21st in the league in rushing yards allowed, which should make for a pretty easy bounce-back game for the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

Kansas City's inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks has been a problem all season, but it is finally starting to catch up with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's squad. The Chiefs' secondary can only pick up the slack for so long. The Jets' offensive line has allowed 23 sacks this season, which should give defensive tackle Chris Jones a chance to record his first sack.

John Dillon's prediction

Kansas City can't afford to lose this game to a beatable opponent after defeats in consecutive contests at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Patrick Mahomes dazzled in the Chiefs' loss to Denver in Week 8, but Kansas City couldn't close out a win with an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter against their AFC West rivals.

On paper, the Jets don't have a clear advantage over Kansas City in any phase of the game. The Chiefs have the better coach and quarterback, and while New York has a few playmakers on both sides of the ball, Kansas City should have no problem dispatching the Jets with ease at Arrowhead Stadium.

Expect Mahomes to get the Chiefs' offense back in rhythm early en route to a blowout win over New York.