Drew Brees explains why the Kansas City Chiefs can win their third straight game
Legendary quarterback Drew Brees knows what it takes to be a champion and explains why the Kansas City Chiefs have what it takes to win their third consecutive title.
Sport in Seriousness
The 2024 NFL season has finally begun and the kickoff offers a lot of excitement.
The Kansas City Chiefs are celebrating their second consecutive Super Bowl title before taking on the Baltimore Ravens in the first step of their attempt to make it a historic third straight. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co. beat top-ranked Baltimore 17-10 in last year’s AFC Championship Game, and the Ravens go into the game knowing they’re out for revenge. But Kansas City will be backed by a raucous Arrowhead Stadium crowd after prevailing on the road in last year’s postseason showdown between the two teams.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates on all the action throughout the night, so check back often for the latest information:
Before they set out to search for their next title, the Chiefs had to celebrate their last one.
Before kickoff on Thursday, Kansas City unveiled its fourth title banner. Bobby Bell, Mitchell Schwartz, Chad Henne and Clark Hunt raised the Lombardi Trophies.
Chiefs and Ravens players participated in a moment of silence for Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the Kansas City supporter killed in a shooting that marred the end of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration. Lopez-Galvan, who was 43 years old, is survived by her husband, Mike Galvan, her children Marc, Adriana and stepdaughter Tiffany Banuelos, and four grandchildren. Lopez-Galvan was a devoted Chiefs supporter who had a large presence in the community. Also known as “DJ Lisa G,” she was in demand for various events and hosted a weekly “Taste of Tejano” music night on KKFI Radio. A classy gesture by the Chiefs to honor the memory of the victim of a senseless tragedy. – Jarrett Bell
Tonight, the Chiefs begin their bid to become the first NFL champions since the 1967 Green Bay Packers to win back-to-back titles, and the first in the Super Bowl era. That Pack team could have done it – it won the 1965 NFL title and Super Bowls 1 and 2 – but missed the playoffs in 1968.
And what about the seven other teams that had a chance at a consecutive Lombardi triumph? None of them even made it back to the Super Bowl. A breakdown:
- Missed playoffs: 1980 Steelers, 1999 Broncos
- Eliminated in the divisional round: 1974 Dolphins, 2005 Patriots
- Defeats in the conference title game: 1976 Steelers, 1990 49ers, 1994 Cowboys
Kickoff for Ravens vs. Chiefs has been moved to 8:40 p.m. ET due to weather conditions.
The players returned to the field just over 20 minutes before the originally scheduled kickoff time of 8:20 p.m. ET.
Fans who arrived early at Arrowhead Stadium to warm up and get set up were forced to leave the stadium less than an hour before kickoff due to lightning from isolated thunderstorms in the area. Players were also cleared from the field.
- Ravens: OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, S Beau Brade, OLB Adisa Isaac, C Nick Samac, CB TJ Tampa, DE Brent Urban, WR Devontez Walker
- Bosses: WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, OL CJ Hanson, TE Peyton Hendershot, OT Ethan Driskell, DT Marlon Tuipulotu
There were no major surprises on either side, as Brown had already missed his debut with the Chiefs due to a shoulder injury.
Yes, the singer is officially at Arrowhead Stadium to watch her boyfriend Travis Kelce and the rest of the Chiefs kick off the season.
Swift was spotted about an hour and a half before kick-off.
The two teams will compete on Thursday, September 5th at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Ravens vs. Chiefs will be televised nationally on NBC with Mike Tirico (live commentary), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline) as commentators. The game will be preceded by “Football Night in America” at 7 p.m. ET.
You can stream the game on Peacock, NBC’s subscription streaming service, or on Fubo, which broadcasts NBC and offers a free trial to select users.
- Jarrett Bell: Ravens 24-23
- Chris Bumbaca: Ravens 26-23
- Nate Davis: 27-17
- Tyler Dragon: 24-23
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: 28-17
- Lorenzo Reyes: 23-17
According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Chiefs are the favorites to defeat the Ravens. Want to bet? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting action in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
- Spread: Chiefs (-3)
- Money line: Chiefs (-150); Ravens (+125)
- Over/Under: 46.5
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, tips and spreads has you covered with the odds for Thursday Night Football and Monday Night Football.
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- Ravens: OLB Adisa Isaac (missing, thigh injury)
- Bosses: WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (outside, shoulder)
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