The LA Chargers won’t receive their schedule until mid-May, even if they already know their opponents for the upcoming season. However, insights from Super Bowl LVIII might provide hints regarding their first game.
Following their overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched their third championship in five years under the leadership of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, solidifying their potential dynasty. Mahomes’ third Super Bowl MVP title further enhances his legacy.
Traditionally, the reigning Super Bowl champions host the opening game of the NFL season. Exceptions to this norm include instances like in 2013 when the Baltimore Ravens faced scheduling issues and played away, or in 2019 when the NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary by highlighting the Packers-Bears rivalry instead of showcasing the defending champions, the New England Patriots.
Typically, the NFL schedules a significant or high-profile matchup for the season opener on Thursday night. Examples include the Super Bowl 50 rematch between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers in 2016 and the Kansas City Chiefs facing the highly anticipated Detroit Lions in September 2023.
Considering these factors, potential opponents for the Chiefs’ first game of the 2024 season include divisional rivals like the Chargers. The Chargers and Chiefs have a history of delivering exciting matchups, such as the Chargers’ victory in Arrowhead during Week 3 of the 2021 season. Both teams boast elite quarterbacks, and Justin Herbert aims to elevate his game to compete against the Chiefs and their dynasty.
The Super-Bowl Champion Chiefs will kickoff the 2024 NFL season at home vs. one of these teams:
🏈LA Chargers
🏈Denver Broncos
🏈Las Vegas Raiders
🏈Houston Texans
🏈Baltimore Ravens
🏈Cincinnati Bengals
🏈New Orleans Saints
🏈Tampa Bay Buccaneers— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 12, 2024
Moreover, the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh adds intrigue to a potential Chargers-Chiefs Week 1 matchup, pitting the reigning Super Bowl-winning coach against the reigning National Championship-winning coach.
Chargers fans anticipate a cultural shift under Harbaugh’s leadership as early as Week 1, and there’s palpable excitement surrounding the new head coach in LA. In the coming months, the NFL will consider the buzz surrounding Harbaugh and decide if featuring the Chargers in the season opener makes sense. If not, other potential opponents for the Chiefs’ first game include the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Houston Texans, with each offering unique storylines and rivalries.
