The rumors are true as multiple sources are now confirming the Chiefs and Patriots will battle each other in the season-opening game for each.
The rumors have been confirmed. The New England Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs to open the 2017 NFL regular season for each team, a match-up of what might have been between last year’s top two seeds in the AFC. Reports of the Chiefs being the season-opening opponent for the Pats were rampant after the Atlanta Falcons were taken out of the equation by other rumors. On the verge of the official NFL schedule announcement on Thursday night, sources are confirming the Chiefs rumor.
The Patriots will open the regular season at home against the Chiefs, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) April 20, 2017
The Chiefs face a difficult schedule in 2017, but there’s nothing more difficult than facing the defending Super Bowl champions in week one. It will be an interesting match-up for both teams who have championship aspirations. The Chiefs are one of the NFL’s deepest teams and should challenge the Pats from the outset. What will be interesting is seeing how the Chiefs use a player like Tyreek Hill against New England, since they haven’t seen him up close.
Andy Reid has went 1-1 in his career against the Patriots during his tenure as the Chiefs head coach. The win was a lopsided victory that embarrassed the Pats on national television in 2014. The last game was a Patriots win by a single touchdown that knocked the Chiefs from the playoffs two years ago.