Bills to Open 2023 vs. Champion Chiefs? Ranking the Possibilities
The bittersweet sensation of Super Bowl Sunday is headlined by excess of the sweetest kind ... be it football, food, halftime entertainment, and more ... before it's countered by the long, cold road that is the offseason.
Sure the NFL has filled the supposed down months with plenty of activities, many of them centered around transactional affairs like the draft and free agency. But fans already looking toward the fall, eager to fulfill their own Super Bowl dreams after the Kansas City Chiefs realized their own against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 57th edition.
The road to No. 58 begins in September, the quest destined to maintain tradition with the defending champion hosting kickoff duties on their home turf on a Thursday night (tentatively scheduled for Sept. 7). The Buffalo Bills have partaken in the tradition, albeit on the grimmer side of things: their most recent season began on a glorious note, crushing the Los Angeles Rams in Southern California to the tune of a 31-10 shellacking.
Buffalo is among the nine squads ... part of a surprisingly high-octane home slate ... set to visit Arrowhead Stadium next season. Will they once again help the NFL ring in the new year? BillsCentral.com ranks the possibilities ...
9. Chicago
Despite their struggles, "Da Bears" remain a draw. The NFL even briefly bucked the defending champion tradition in 2019 to open its centennial season with a matchup between Chicago and Green Bay. There's some national lure for the modern Bears, including Justin Fields and the next top pick of the NFL Draft (should they choose to keep that pick, of course), but they'll likely have to prove their game day mettle if they're going to get primary national slots.
8. Detroit
Though their postseason run fell just short, the Lions are America's Gridiron Sweethearts thanks to their perpetual underdog nature and successful HBO run. Again, however, it feels like Detroit should have more representation in the win the column before they reap in the rewards of national stardom. The Lions should be ready for thier close-ups, but Kickoff Game honors are a little out of their reach for the time being.
7. Miami
Another team on the cusp of a breakout, the Bills' AFC East rivals made their case for further national inclusion with a spirited effort behind the arm of a third-string quarterback in the Wild Card round. Another lack of established history with the Chiefs, however, hurts their chances at getting the Week 1 Thursday slot, though that's probably for the best as the Dolphins try to ease Tua Tagovailoa back into starting duties.
6. BUFFALO
The NFL has every reason to place the Bills in the Kickoff Game: the two sides have been responsible for some of the most exciting games in recent memory (including October's 24-20 triumph) and the football world was denied another postseason matchup by another team on this list. But while the next sequel is undoubtedly destined for primetime, it's highly doubtful that the league makes them watch a banner-raising ceremony for the second consecutive season, especially when they can put the Bills in another high-profile slot later on.
5. Las Vegas
Even though the Chiefs have control of the quartet for the foreseeable future, there's no shortage of divisional intrigue in the AFC West for schedule-makers to work with. Of that group, the Raiders have the bleakest future, though the intrigue of showcasing the debut of the quarterback set to lead the post-Derek Carr era and their long-standing rivalry with Kansas City moves them up a few spots.
4. Philadelphia
It's always an interesting gambit for the schedule-makers when the most recent Super Bowl matchup is up for placement, especially when the victor is hosting. The NFL opted for an immediate rematch in 2016 (when Denver hosted Carolina) but was more patient the year after when New England-Atlanta was made an October Sunday night game. With some seeing this as a potentially recurring championship matchup, it feels like the league could go either way.
3. Cincinnati
Best two-of-three? The world was denied a Chiefs-Bills rematch in the semifinal round but received an equally entertaining (if not slightly more infuriating) reunion with the Bengals. Kansas City avenged their loss in the prior AFC title game in a victory some felt was tainted due to officials' involvement. It certainly wouldn't behoove to the NFL to cast a spotlight on an officiating problem they insist isn't there, but the allure of the AFC beasts might be too lovely to pass up.
2. Denver
Misery loves company ... as does redemption. The Broncos broke the bank to put a premature end to the Chiefs' greatness, mortgaging their future for Russell Wilson. All they got in return was a handful of primetime games, a coach that failed to last a full season, and a Christmas Day roasting courtesy of Patrick Star. With Wilson looking for redemption and Sean Payton in tow, Denver presents a safe and entertaining option.
1. LA Chargers
If the budding Chiefs dynasty was casting their version of the Baltimore Ravens teams that frequently gave the New England Patriots fits, they could do far worse than the Chargers. While Kansas City has won 15 of the past 18 matchups, nine of the victories have come by a one-possession margin and three required overtime. Like Denver, the Chargers are also seeking redemption, albeit one of a rather nationally embarrassing spotlight: Week 1 will stand as their first meaningful contest since blowing a massive lead to Jacksonville in the AFC Wild Card round.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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