Let the show begin.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be hoping to do better than they did in 2023 as they open the NFL season for the second straight year, taking on the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC Championship rematch on Thursday night.
The Chiefs are trying to do something no NFL team in the Super Bowl era has done before: win three straight championships. The last team to win the Super Bowl twice was the New England Patriots in 2003-04. The Patriots were trying to win their third straight championship and made it all the way to the divisional round before losing.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (No. 15) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Denny Medley – USA Today Sports)
The Chiefs had a tumultuous offseason after players witnessed a shooting during the Super Bowl parade that left one person dead and several others injured, followed by the arrest of several players on separate charges, including second-year wide receiver Ruchy Rice.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce received increased attention during the offseason.
Mahomes' wife, Brittany, caused controversy when she appeared to respond favorably to former President Donald Trump's comments supporting the Republican Party's policies for the 2024 presidential election, sparking a heated social media debate, with Trump thanking his wife in a Truth Social post.
Kelsey's relationship with Taylor Swift was also in the spotlight; she was with her on the “Eraser” tour and they appeared together on stage. They were also embroiled in a public relations scandal when false documents were filed stating the date of their breakup. Kelsey's representatives denied the breakup and brought in a lawyer to intervene in the case.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are trying to bounce back from a shocking loss last season.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (No. 8) throws a pass during a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers at Ray Nitschke Field, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Tork Mason/USA Today Network-Wisconsin)
AFC South breakdown: What will the division look like in the 2024 NFL season?
Lamar Jackson was named MVP again after passing for 3,678 yards, 24 touchdown passes, rushing for 821 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He was one of the best players in the class of 2023, but lost out to Mahomes and the Chiefs at the end.
Baltimore rebuilt with Josh Jones on the offensive line, Derrick Henry in the backfield and Eddie Jackson in the secondary, and their offseason was a little quieter than the Chiefs', but the message was the same: Beat the tough guys and make a name for yourself.
The Ravens were fourth in points scored, sixth in yards gained, first in points allowed, and sixth in yards allowed.
Baltimore's quest to win the AFC North will be tougher: The Cincinnati Bengals have Joe Burrow back under center, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping Russell Wilson can become the quarterback he was three years ago, and the Cleveland Browns are more ready than ever to win.
It's going to take a truly valiant effort to get back into the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (No. 15) looks on next to tight end Travis Kelce (No. 87) before an NFL preseason football game at EverBank Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Corey Perrin/The Florida Times-Union)
The Chiefs' road won't be easy either. The Los Angeles Chargers are preparing to make a postseason run with Justin Herbert under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Denver Broncos are confident of Bo Nix at quarterback, and the Las Vegas Raiders are looking to tap Gardner Minshew II to lead their offense.
Click here to get the FOX News app
The Chiefs-Ravens game will kick off at 8:20pm ET.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
