The NFL is getting used to the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl, and as a result, it is getting used to the Chiefs playing the first game of the NFL season.
The Chiefs will host the NFL regular season opener for the third time in five years, a reward every defending champion enjoys. And once again, we’re wondering what opponent the Chiefs will face. The NFL typically tries to get a marquee opponent to face the champions and kick off the season.
We know the eight opening night candidates, as we know each team’s opponents for the 2024 season for months. Here’s a guess as to who will start the season in Kansas City:
No Shot: Saints, Broncos, Buccaneers
There wouldn’t be much excitement for either of these teams. The Buccaneers would be the best of the group, but… no. The only reason any of these three teams would finish on opening night is that the NFL knows we will all be watching, even if Liberty North High School is the opponent.
Probably not, but a small chance: Chargers, Raiders
It’s rare for the NFL to make the opening game a divisional contest. The last time this happened was in 2012, when the Dallas Cowboys faced the New York Giants. The only other time was in 2008, also with the Giants. Since we don’t have to worry about the NFL’s infatuation with the NFC East for this year’s opening game, it seems unlikely that they will face the Chiefs with an AFC West opponent. Maybe Jim Harbaugh’s debut with the Chargers or Raiders was the last team to beat the Chiefs (and bragging a little about this) can move the needle. But it seems unlikely.
Probably saving for later: Ravens
The NFL likes to give us a good game in the opener, but not too good. Once again, we are watching no matter what. Last season, the Bills or Bengals games would have been racier than the Lions-Chiefs games, but these Bills and Bengals games ended up getting prime network time on a late Sunday afternoon. The best possible game to open this season might be an AFC championship rematch with the Ravens, but you’ll likely see that in primetime this fall.
That would be fun, and it might be: Texans
The Texans are going to get a lot of love from primetime schedule makers this season. CJ Stroud is an instant star and the addition of Stefon Diggs makes the Texans one of the most-watched teams in the NFL. Stroud vs. Patrick Mahomes would be great theater. If that is the choice, no one will complain. It would probably be a great game too.
It’s probably this: Bengals
The Bengals didn’t have a good season in 2023, but a lot of that had to do with Joe Burrow’s injury. With Burrow back, we can increase the rivalry between the Bengals and Chiefs. Since the Bengals weren’t a big factor last season, we can forget the heat of the Chiefs-Bengals playoff battles, the “Burrowhead” talk, and Travis Kelce calling Cincinnati’s mayor a “jabroni” after Kansas City defeated the Bengals in an AFC Championship Game. There will also be interest to see how Burrow looks after a wrist injury ended his season last November. Unless there is concern that Burrow may not be ready – and there is doesn’t seem too worried above that – seems like an easy pick for the NFL. However, the league has some good candidates for opening night.
