The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs will not be easing into the 2024 season as they try to go for an unprecedented Tremendous Bowl three-peat.
The Chiefs will face the Baltimore Ravens within the 2024 season opener on Sept. 8, a rematch of final 12 months’s AFC Championship Sport in opposition to reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson and the crew that completed the 2023 season with the league’s finest report. Kansas Metropolis then faces Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.
The Bengals have a 3-1 report in opposition to the Chiefs when Burrow performs, together with within the 2021 AFC Championship Sport. Cincinnati’s lone loss to Ok.C. with its star QB in tow got here in a 23-20 thriller at Arrowhead Stadium within the 2022 AFC Championship Sport.
That looks as if a steep problem for the Chiefs proper out of the gate — however it’s one which star tight finish Travis Kelce prefers.
“I do just like the potential high groups within the league early,” Kelce mentioned on his “New Heights” podcast. “I might slightly play them early or like midseason. I do not like enjoying on the finish of season outdoors of the division. I simply really feel prefer it’s too near the playoffs and if I’ve an opportunity to play them within the playoffs, I need to hold that recreation recent.”
It is no secret that NFL gamers’ our bodies, particularly that of 34-year-old tight ends like Kelce, get worn down because the season goes on. However Kelce’s level about maintaining playoff matchups “recent” may also include the Bengals and Ravens in thoughts.
On Jan. 2, 2022, Cincinnati defeated Kansas Metropolis in a Week 17 regular-season matchup. It marked Burrow’s first time going through the Chiefs. 4 weeks later, Burrow and the Bengals staged an 18-point comeback to upset the closely favored Chiefs in Kansas Metropolis to advance to the Tremendous Bowl.
The Bengals and Chiefs confronted off once more the next season — however a month earlier, in Week 13. Cincinnati once more rallied to beat Kansas Metropolis, however this time, Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs triumphed within the ensuing AFC title recreation.
Now, the Chiefs and Bengals face off proper on the very starting of the NFL season, which means a number of months will move till any potential playoff rematch. Ditto for the Ravens, whom the Chiefs didn’t face throughout the common season final 12 months earlier than their convention title recreation conflict.
And Kelce appears simply nice with that.
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