Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots should meet in primetime for Week 1
The Kansas City Chiefs have dominated the New England Patriots in the last two regular season meetings. The two should meet again on primetime in Week 1.
Like many of you, I was expecting the New England Patriots to win their sixth Super Bowl earlier this month against the Philadelphia Eagles. I thought it would be an intriguing move to have the New England Patriots, as assumed Super Bowl champions, to open up the NFL season against the Kansas City Chiefs for the second year in a row.
As we know, the reigning Super Bowl champions open up the following NFL season at home on Thursday night in Week 1. In 2017, it surprised many people when the Kansas City Chiefs were selected to visit the Patriots on their banner night. It was an even bigger surprise when the Chiefs kicked off the 2017 season with a 42-27 upset win over the reigning champions, shutting them out 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
Due to Philadelphia winning the Super Bowl, the idea of having the Chiefs and Patriots open up the NFL season for a second year in a row is no longer a reality. However, the league can still schedule these two teams to play in Week 1.
Of course, every NFL fan would rather see their team play their first game at home. But it would not be a bad idea for Chiefs fans to root for the notion of having the team play its first game on the road against the reigning AFC champions.
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
As reigning conference champions, the Patriots are likely to have a moment during pregame in which they honor the Patriots on winning their tenth conference championship. NBC or ESPN, depending on which night the game could be scheduled for, would certainly show it.
Add in the fact that there is a backstory between these two teams. In the last two regular season meetings in 2017 and 2014, both on primetime, the Chiefs blew out the Patriots. The universal narrative surrounded Tom Brady and Bill Belichick and whether their best days are behind them. Sure enough, the Patriots went to the Super Bowl both seasons. But there is no doubt that non-Patriots fans would tune in in hopes of seeing the Chiefs dominate the Patriots again.
Enter Pat Mahomes, who spent the first 16 games on the sidelines. His only start came against a Denver Broncos team in Week 17 that was ready to wrap up the season as there was limited activity from starters of both teams. There is a huge story to be discussed leading up to and during the game about Mahomes taking over the reigns as the new starting quarterback.
Speaking optimistically, of course, Chiefs fans would love it if Mahomes stunned the Patriots in his first true test in the NFL. Even if the Chiefs don’t pull off a win, this would still be a great challenge for Mahomes to go head-to-head against Tom Brady and have that out of the way for the 2018 season.
Next: 5 Offensive Free Agent Targets
The most enticing part of seeing these two play is the fact that the Chiefs are the only team in recent memory to blowout the Patriots, doing so twice. If the NFL schedules this game on Sunday or Monday night in Week 1, expect a lot of people to tune in for this matchup.