Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs begin their title defense with a thrilling game against the Detroit Lions as the 2023 NFL season kicks off overnight.
But with defensive tackle Chris Jones holding up and future Hall of Fame tight Travis Kelce suffering a knee injury, there are early question marks over the Chiefs’ bid to reach a fourth Super Bowl in five years.
Can an outsider tear up the script as the big dance moves to Las Vegas for the first – but arguably last – time?
There will be intrigue and injury along the way, but here are 10 storylines to watch out for…
The Kansas City Chiefs kick off their title defense against the Detroit Lions
Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes wants to repeat history with the Chiefs
CATCH US IF YOU CAN
To paraphrase Gary Lineker: ‘Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for sixty minutes and in the end the Chiefs always win.”
Under Andy Reid, Kansas has topped the AFC West for the past seven seasons, reaching the last five AFC Championship games.
Including the post-season, two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP, Mahomes has played 94 games, winning 75 and losing 19.
WIN-NOW… OR WHAT?
Buffalo will need their vaunted regular season defense to finally hold their own in the playoffs if they are to justify their hype as Super Bowl contenders.
Joe Burrow starts another year injured in Cincinnati – it hasn’t been a problem, mind you – and this will be the last year the Bengals will have Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase available.
And after the LA Chargers made Justin Herbert the NFL’s highest-paid player, there can be no more injury excuses — nor playoff blunders — for head coach Brandon Staley.
Then there’s the hard-to-avoid question: Can Aaron Rodgers match Joe Namath and steer the New York Jets to their first Super Bowl win since 1969? No. What about the playoffs for the first time since 2010? Yes.
The LA Chargers recently named Justin Herbert (pictured) the highest-paid player in the NFL
PARTICIPANTS, READY
In the NFC, the Eagles added probable defensive rookie of the year Jalen Carter to the draft and look formidable. But last year they were blessed with 70 sacks, injury luck and a weak schedule. That won’t happen again.
All eyes on Brock Purdy in San Francisco, but will the 49ers — for whom quarterback injuries under Kyle Shanahan are a hallmark — regret trading Trey Lance?
Elsewhere, Dallas boasts the NFL’s best defensive and offensive weapons, but also has Mike McCarthy as head coach. Elsewhere you should not sleep in Miami, Pittsburgh and Seattle.
BUCKING BRONCOS
No-nonsense coach Sean Payton has parachuted in to fix Russell Wilson.
But Denver has failed to make the playoffs in seven seasons and traded a lot of talent to acquire the low-maintenance quarterback, handing him a five-year, $245 million deal.
Fine when Wilson—a Super Bowl winner in Seattle—is in his prime. Not when he’s 34 and has had the worst season of his career.
No-nonsense coach Sean Payton hopes to turn the fortunes of the Denver Broncos around
LAST TO FIRST?
In 18 of the past 20 seasons, a team that finished last in their division finished first the following season. On to the Browns, Jets, Texans, Broncos, Bears, Commanders, Cardinals, Bears and – here I am looking at you – Falcons.
In last year’s worst-to-first-team Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence looked like a No. 1 overall pick in every way under Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson.
With Calvin Ridley added to a strong reception room, a favorable schedule and a weak division, the perennial underachievers look all set for a deep playoff run.
CARDINALS SIN
Arizona refuels.
With spoiled quarterback Kyler Murray out of the first four games, new head coach Jonathan Gannon (the former Eagles defensive coordinator credited by many Philly fans for February’s Super Bowl loss) takes charge of the worst roster in history. the NFL. Are they the first 0-17 team?
THERE IS LOVE IN THE AIR
For the first time since 1993, a man not named Favre or Rodgers is starting quarterback at Green Bay.
The new man in Titletown is Jordan Love, called up for 2020. It won’t happen overnight, but the signs point to success under head coach Matt LaFleur.
Jordan Love made history by becoming the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers
Teething problems?
All three quarterbacks entered in the first round will start from week one. No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has landed the top spot in Carolina, while CJ Stroud is leading Houston’s rebuild under new head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Shame on Anthony Richardson, the Colts’ seventh starter in as many years. He won’t have running back Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, who’s holding out thanks in large part to chaotic owner Jim Irsay.
Speaking of holdouts, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa finished his last night becoming the highest paid defensive player in history. He signed a five-year $170 million contract with $122.5 million guaranteed.
THIS IS A EUROSPORT
Three games in London this year, with the Jaguars playing back-to-back weekends at Wembley and Tottenham. Maybe this will become a normal thing?
Of the Falcons, Jaguars, Bills, Ravens and Titans, only Tennessee will say goodbye after their trip across the pond next month.
Frankfurt will be the NFL’s newest host city, with two games in November. Tickets sold out in 15 minutes to see Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill reunite with the Chiefs. The following week, the Panthers play against the Patriots.
The NFL has regularly visited Europe in recent years and will try to continue this trend
IS THIS THE END?
With each passing year, Tom Brady looks even more like a genius. How long can the Patriots’ gritty defense keep a mediocre quarterback, an unreliable offensive line, and poor receivers in games?
After six Super Bowls, Bill Belichick (329) is second behind Don Shula (347) on the all-time wins list, including playoffs.
When asked if he can tolerate another losing season, owner Robert Kraft said, “Look, I’d like him to break Don Shula’s record, but I don’t expect any of our players to have great stats. It’s about winning and doing what we can to win.’