- NFL. Chiefs' path back to the Super Bowl just got easier after the Bills' disasters in preseason
- NFL. New England Patriots make surprising move that leads fans to believe they're tanking again
The NFL currently has one main team to conquer: the Kansas City Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and head coach Andy Reid. Since Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have reached the AFC Championship game every year, appeared in four Super Bowls, and won three of them. Mahomes was named MVP in those critical victories against the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers twice. Now, they're on the brink of achieving something no NFL team has done before: the first-ever three-peat.
A Smoother Path Ahead
The Chiefs are predicted to secure their ninth consecutive AFC West title, just two shy of the New England Patriots NFL record of 11. They are the clear favorites in their division, largely due to Mahomes' impressive 30-5 record against AFC West rivals, including the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. The recent departure of Broncos' Safety Justin Simmons, who has five interceptions against the Chiefs, to Atlanta Falcons on a one-year, $8 million contract, will make the path even easier for Kansas City. Mahomes has a 12-1 record against Denver, and while the Broncos managed to beat the Chiefs 24-9 last season with a Simmons interception, that was their first win after 16 consecutive losses to Andy Reid's squad.
With Simmons gone, the Broncos' inexperienced and weak quarterback room, the uncertainties surrounding the Chargers, and the Raiders' roster issues, the Chiefs (-250) are heavy favorites to win their division for the ninth straight year. However, that's just on paper-the games still have to be played. Even with his departure Simmons will have the opportunity to return to play against the Chiefs on Sunday Night in Week 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Good-Looking Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons haven't made the playoffs since 2017, which is why on March 11, they signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. It seems the Falcons are all-in this season, aiming to be the frontrunners in the "weak" NFC South division. Besides Cousins, the Falcons brought in Rams' defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as head coach, who previously served as Atlanta's interim head coach in 2020 and held various positions with the team since 2015. They also added former Patriot Matt Judon to their defense, who alongside Grady Jarrett, Jessie Bates III, AJ Terrell, and Simmons ing the roster, the Falcons' defense looks like one of the strongest on paper heading into the next season.