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It’s time for another round of Kansas City Chiefs against the rest of the league.
The biggest storyline going into the 2024 NFL campaign is whether Patrick Mahomes’ squad can lift the Lombardi Trophy for the third consecutive year. Kansas City has been to six consecutive AFC Championship Games during a stretch that includes three Super Bowl titles and four Super Bowl appearances and seems ready to make another run.
It won’t be easy, though, with a long list of star AFC quarterbacks looking to stand in the way.
Yet the Chiefs and the rest of the challengers first need to know the order of their opponents before they start planning how to navigate the road to the sport’s biggest stage. They will learn that order at 8 p.m. ET on May 15 when the NFL releases its 2024 schedule, according to Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal.
While the schedule release brings plenty of excitement as fans begin to plan their tailgates and forecast where their teams’ wins and losses will come from, the actual list of opponents comes as no surprise.
That is because the league already released the list of opponents for every team back in January.
With that in mind, here is a look at that list, as well as some games that jump out.
Home: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers Road: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina PanthersHome: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh SteelersRoad: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Minnesota VikingsHome: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Buffalo BillsRoad: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay BuccaneersHome: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City ChiefsRoad: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit LionsHome: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati BengalsRoad: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Chicago BearsHome: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, New England PatriotsRoad: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Washington CommandersHome: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, New England PatriotsRoad: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Carolina PanthersHome: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Miami DolphinsRoad: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans SaintsHome: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Houston TexansRoad: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ersHome: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis ColtsRoad: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Seattle SeahawksHome: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo BillsRoad: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas CowboysHome: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Miami DolphinsRoad: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia EaglesHome: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens Road: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas CowboysHome: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh SteelersRoad: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, New York GiantsHome: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns Road: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia EaglesHome: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston TexansRoad: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ersHome: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars Road: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles RamsHome: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee TitansRoad: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Arizona CardinalsHome: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas RaidersRoad: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, New Orleans SaintsHome: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas RaidersRoad: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay PackersHome: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, New York JetsRoad: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, New York GiantsHome: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles ChargersRoad: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago BearsHome: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland BrownsRoad: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Green Bay PackersHome: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis ColtsRoad: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle SeahawksHome: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Denver BroncosRoad: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota VikingsHome: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville JaguarsRoad: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles RamsHome: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, New York JetsRoad: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta FalconsHome: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City ChiefsRoad: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay BuccaneersHome: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Denver BroncosRoad: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta FalconsHome: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore RavensRoad: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Detroit LionsHome: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati BengalsRoad: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington CommandersHome: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Tennessee TitansRoad: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers
It won’t get them any Lombardi Trophies, but it sure would feel good for the San Francisco 49ers if they could defeat the Chiefs during the upcoming season.
After all, Mahomes and Co. beat San Francisco in Super Bowl LVIII last season as well as Super Bowl LIV to end the 2019 campaign. The NFC West team has come painfully close to winning it all of late with losses in the NFC Championship Games during the 2021 and 2022 seasons as well.
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“[Mahomes] is the best. He is the standard. Michael Jordan wins it again.” #SBLVIII pic.twitter.com/EgLchylxSA
There is an excellent chance the 49ers will once again have to go through the dynasty Chiefs if they are going to finally lift the Lombardi Trophy, and a Super Bowl rematch during the regular season will be something of a measuring-stick opportunity to see if they have closed any of the gap from February’s narrow 25-22 loss.
This game will feature much of the same star power as the Super Bowl with Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Isiah Pacheco and more. It will also feature the clear storyline that comes with the rematch and pit two of the best teams in the league against each other.
It will be appointment viewing for all NFL fans.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
While it would be easy to circle every major game featuring the Chiefs as the ones to watch this season given their overwhelming presence when it comes to storylines for many of the top challengers, some of the games between those challengers also jump out.
Including the one between the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans.
This already would have been a game to watch without significant roster movement considering the Josh Allen-led Bills have long been one of Kansas City’s top threats in the AFC and the C.J. Stroud-led Texans appear to be one of the threats on the rise.
However, it is even more notable after Buffalo traded star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to Houston this offseason. Even though the game is missing the layer of a Diggs return that would have been there if it was in Buffalo, that trade still adds another layer of intrigue to what should be one of the best games in the AFC during the 2024 campaign.
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First look at Stefon Diggs training in Texans gear 👀 (via @stefondiggs) pic.twitter.com/vZAGdMMjQV
The Texans won the AFC South behind Stroud’s Offensive Rookie of the Year performance and loaded up this offseason with the addition of the four-time Pro Bowler in Diggs, a veteran running back in Joe Mixon and a four-time Pro Bowler in pass-rusher Danielle Hunter.
If Stroud takes another step in his second season to become even better, Houston looks to be one of the teams on paper that can actually challenge the Chiefs come playoff time.
But first it has to prove it can be better than the Bills.
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
The Texans aren’t the only AFC challenger that added a dynamic offensive piece in an effort to close the gap with Kansas City.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Derrick Henry this offseason, giving them one of the best running backs of this generation in an offense that already featured reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, tight end Mark Andrews and wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Baltimore has plenty of offensive firepower now, and defenses that focus too much attention on stopping Jackson’s running ability will likely be steamrolled by Henry as he pursues his sixth season with more than 1,000 rushing yards in the last seven years.
NFL @NFL
Derrick Henry doing Derrick Henry things.
📺: #JAXvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/ggtjWd2jSa
Kansas City defeated the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game but didn’t score a single point in the second half against Baltimore’s stout defense. Yet the AFC North team couldn’t take advantage of the golden opportunity and managed just 10 points in the 17-10 defeat.
Had the Ravens been even slightly better on offense during their incredible defensive performance, it would have been them in the Super Bowl against the 49ers.
Enter Henry, who will look to help provide that missing offensive punch if there is another playoff rematch between the two sides.
First, though, they will face off in the regular season.
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