The New England Patriots are still only a few months removed from the greatest Super Bowl comeback in NFL history, but the good news for the defending champs continues to roll in.
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Patriots will have the honor of hosting the first regular season game of the 2017-18 NFL season against the reigning AFC West champs Kansas City Chiefs.
Via CBS Sports:
"The Patriots' opening game on Sept. 7 at Gillette Stadium will almost certainly be against the Chiefs, who are coming off a 12-4 season and an AFC West title. A rematch with the Falcons was an option, but they are likely to open the season at home on "Sunday Night Football" to debut their new stadium."
The Patriots not facing the Atlanta Falcons in the opener, like the Denver Broncos did with the Carolina Panthers a season ago, makes sense with the Falcons opening their new stadium in 2017-18, so having the defending champs open on the road wouldn't make any sense.
The Chiefs have been one of the best regular season teams of the last few years, so a match-up with the Patriots on Thursday Night Football to kickoff the new season should still be a great one.
