Chiefs Already in the Heads of One 2024 Opponent

As the defending champs, and back-to-back Lombardi winners at that, the Kansas City Chiefs know every team is hoping to knock them off of the top in 2024. However, there are surely some franchises around the league who think they're better than KC, or at least aren't as high on the Chiefs this year.

That doesn't appear to be the case for one squad that's set to face Kansas City in 2024, however.

In an interview with The Chiefs Wire, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson discussed the Chiefs' standing as the NFL's best team. Pederson makes it clear that the path to the title goes through Kansas City, noting "You want to beat those guys, and that’s what motivates you to do well." The former SB winner even called Andy Reid's squad the "pinnacle" of the sport at this moment.

"So that’s what we’re all striving to do as head coaches, to be just like that. ... That’s the that’s the pinnacle in our sport right now, and those are the teams you got to beat."

- Jaguars HC Doug Pederson

This just shows how much the Chiefs are on the minds of teams looking to contend, like the Jaguars. For a squad looking to take that next step, it has to prove it can hang with the big boys, and there's none bigger right now than the two-time defending champs.

Pederson and his team experienced what the Chiefs are capable of in the playoffs two seasons ago. Despite that contest being closer than expected, it was still Patrick Mahomes and co. who emerged victorious.

Jacksonville's performance in that game provides some hope it can take KC down one day, but after missing the postseason in 2023, Pederson needs to get his team back to the main stage first before dreaming of playoff revenge.

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