Stephen A. Smith has shared his insights on why he believes the Kansas City Chiefs are poised to reach the AFC Championship Game once again, but may not secure a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy.
As the 2024 NFL season kicks off, the Chiefs will face off against the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship Game. Kansas City aims to make history by becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row, while Baltimore hopes to thwart their plans.
This opening matchup features an impressive quarterback matchup: Patrick Mahomes against Lamar Jackson. This is the first time that two multi-MVP winners under the age of 30 are going head-to-head in Week 1.
The Chiefs will be making their fourth appearance in the NFL kickoff game, tying the New England Patriots for the most all-time appearances. Having previously played in 2004, 2005, 2015, and 2017, the Chiefs look to equal the Patriots in victories during this matchup. The Patriots currently boast a record of 3-1 in kickoff games, with their only loss coming from the Chiefs in 2017.
Historically, defending Super Bowl champions have not fared well in kickoff games, losing only five times since 2004. The Chiefs are the second team to appear in the game consecutively, following the Patriots.
Since its inception in 2002, the NFL kickoff game has become a cherished tradition. However, a loss to the Ravens would mark the Chiefs’ second consecutive defeat in a season opener and would mean that a reigning Super Bowl champion would have lost their opener three years in a row for the first time since 1981-83.
The matchup with the most combined points in a kickoff game occurred in 2013, when the Denver Broncos faced the Ravens, scoring a total of 76 points. The Chiefs set the record for the most total offense in a kickoff game in 2017 against the Patriots, amassing 537 yards in a 42-27 victory.
Historically, since 2002, every kickoff game has featured the reigning Super Bowl champion except for one instance in 2019. That year, the Packers and Bears opened the league’s 100th anniversary season, resulting in a low-scoring affair that ended with a 10-3 victory for the Packers.
As the season begins, all eyes will be on the matchup between the Chiefs and Ravens, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting year in the NFL.