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As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, September 5, at 8:20 p.m. EDT at GEHA Arrowhead Stadium, all eyes are on this highly anticipated matchup. The 2024 NFL season kicks off with two teams carrying significant expectations.
With that in mind, here are the top three things Chiefs fans should watch for heading into this game.
Chiefs Offense
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The Kansas City Chiefs ended the 2023 season ranked No. 9 in total offense, No. 6 in passing offense, and No. 19 in rushing offense. While these rankings are solid, they mark a clear decline compared to the Chiefs’ offensive prowess in previous seasons during the Patrick Mahomes era.
Notably, the Chiefs recorded their lowest yards per game and points per game averages under Andy Reid and Mahomes. Mahomes completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in 2023. In contrast, he led the league in 2022 with 5,250 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. A significant factor in this decline was the Chiefs leading the NFL with 44 dropped passes by the end of the regular season.
Heading into 2024, the Chiefs have reloaded their offense. Despite last season’s challenges, they managed to repeat as champions. However, Mahomes was not entirely satisfied with the team’s offensive performance.
“Obviously, the end result was awesome, but I think a lot of us still have a weird feeling in our mouth,” Mahomes said. “We really didn’t play football the way we wanted to play all year long. It wasn’t fun.”
Offensive Additions
With the addition of Wide Receivers like Xavier Worthy and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, alongside Rashee Rice, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Mecole Hardman, the Chiefs expect their offensive rhythm to return to full force. This new and improved receiving corps has the speed, experience, and talent to replicate some of the explosive offenses of years past. But it all comes down to how this translates on the field. Chiefs fans should focus on how the offense performs against a strong AFC contender in Week 1.
Chiefs Defense
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The Chiefs’ defensive line and backs depth has been an area of concern heading into this season. While Chris Jones anchors this group as arguably the best defensive lineman in the league, the depth behind the starting unit is questionable.
Last season, the Chiefs’ defense ranked No. 17 in rushing defense, sufficient to keep most teams at bay. When critical stops were needed, players like Jones, George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, or Derrick Nnadi would step up. However, they benefited from playing behind a strong back seven, a luxury they no longer have this season due to key departures. With the 2024 season featuring a similar defensive line but a weaker back seven, this unit must elevate its play, starting in Week 1.
Defense Got Worse This Offseason
Then the defensive backs, which were the Chiefs’ strongest defensive unit last season. The team finished as the No. 2 defense in the NFL, largely due to a pass defense that ranked No. 4 overall. This was the highest ranking the secondary had achieved in the Mahomes era. However, with L’Jarius Sneed now with the Tennessee Titans, there’s uncertainty about who will step up to fill his role. The obvious candidate is Trent McDuffie, which leaves a gap at the No. 2 cornerback spot.
According to the Chiefs depth chart, Jaylen Watson, who has had limited training camp and preseason action due to recovering from a torn labrum, is expected to fill this role. However, Watson’s performance in the Chiefs’ final preseason game against the Chicago Bears raised concerns as he was out of position and burned on multiple occasions. This uncertainty surrounding the defensive backfield, once a strength, is now a significant question mark heading into the season.
Chiefs Special Teams
This season, the NFL has implemented a new special teams rule that could significantly impact games. With the new rule in place, fans should be on the lookout for how this part of the team performs in opening week. This unit led by Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub, spent much of their training camp and the preseason strategizing and determining personnel.
Hardman is expected to be the primary returner, with Skyy Moore backing him up on the depth chart. The Chiefs will emphasize speed as their main strength while ensuring the rest of the unit consists of smart players who can follow the rules and execute their assignments effectively.
Final Thoughts
With the Chiefs just days away from beginning their pursuit of a fourth championship in the last six years, the team enters the season with some questions still unanswered. Despite reloading offensively, they’ve lost key defensive pieces, and new challenges are sure to arise as the season progresses. However, one thing this team has consistently shown over the years is resilience.
Understanding this should enter this game with excitement, anticipation, and a bit of anxiousness for the return of football, hoping to see the Chiefs’ explosive offense back in action, a potentially sluggish defense, and a new, intriguing look on special teams. The pursuit of history begins Thursday.
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