Patrick Mahomes has praised rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy for "opening stuff up" in the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Chiefs began their first steps towards an unprecedented three-peat with a 27-20 win over Baltimore on Thursday but had to hang on as the Ravens had a late touchdown overturned.

Worthy scored a touchdown the first time he got the ball in an NFL game with a 21-yard rush, before getting his second in the fourth quarter, a 35-yard catch from Mahomes.

The quarterback lauded Worthy's ability after the game, noting that his touchdowns were not his biggest contributions to the team during the win.

"Just having him out there, it just opens up stuff," Mahomes said. "You saw when he's out there, they're playing shell coverages.

"It's getting guys like [Travis Kelce] and it's getting guys like [Rashee Rice] open underneath, and that's what's so great about this offense is we're able to do all of that, and that's when we're at our best.

"He's so cool, calm and collected all the time. You never even see the excitement on him, but he goes out there and makes plays.

"Obviously, we want to continue to use him more and more, but I thought he had a great day today, making big plays and big moments."

Meanwhile, the Ravens were left frustrated by a late call from the officials as Isaiah Likely was denied a touchdown on the final play of the game.

He caught Lamar Jackson's pass, but it was ruled out by the slightest of margins after initially being given onfield, with replays showing his toe was just outside the line.

"You have to live with that call," Likely said, via the team's website.

"That's on me. I just have to get both feet in. I harp on myself to catch everything and make sure everybody puts us in the best possibility, so I take responsibility. Next time, I'm going to get my feet down."

Jackson, however, was not convinced by the final call.

"I thought it was a touchdown," Jackson said. "I still think it's a touchdown."

Kansas City Chiefs tackle Mike Pennel is out to prove the Opta supercomputer wrong after it estimated the team's chances of a Super Bowl three-peat at just 11.6%.

The Chiefs are looking to make history in the 2024 campaign, which they open on Thursday with a mouthwatering tussle with the Baltimore Ravens, who they beat in last season's AFC Championship game.

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and company are out to make the Chiefs the first franchise in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls.

Eight teams have previously won back-to-back Super Bowls, only to fail to make the showpiece game in the subsequent season, most recently the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005.

Ahead of the new campaign, the Opta supercomputer's predictive model, which takes into account a team's quarterback and EVE (efficiency vs expected) performance, rated Kansas City's chances of winning Super Bowl LIX at 11.6%.

They are more favoured than AFC rivals Baltimore (10.8%), but the San Francisco 49ers – who the Chiefs beat at Super Bowl LVIII and Super Bowl LIV – are favourites with a 23.9% likelihood of winning it all.

Pennel is desperate to prove the model wrong, telling Stats Perform: "Give me the opportunity to fight against the machines! I don't think we were favoured in any playoff game this year. You know what I mean? 

"I'm pretty sure they're doing it off numbers, but we played them twice in the Super Bowl. We beat them twice. I guess we'll just have to get to it. 

"I think we may see them again. But the NFC, they've got some tough teams out there right now. They got some teams that are ascending, Green Bay was looking good and are another dark horse. 

"We'll see what Dallas is doing, how their contract situation works out. The Eagles look very, very, very solid. So we'll see how it shakes out. Remember, you've got to remain healthy to make it to the game. That's out of both teams' hands. 

"We'll see what happens, but 23% to 11%? I can't agree with that. I would flip-flop that, but maybe it's calculating in the three-peat. Maybe that's what it is."

The Chiefs have made six consecutive AFC Championship games since Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018, winning four of those and going on to claim three Super Bowl rings.

Asked where their main competition might come from in the AFC, Pennel highlighted the Houston Texans – in their second year with C.J. Stroud leading the offense – as a major threat.

"I love the direction that Houston is going in. They're going to be formidable in the AFC. Cleveland with a healthy Deshaun Watson, we're interested to see how that looks," he said.

"Even in our division, you know, the Chargers with Jim Harbaugh, they've got a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. We know he'll be running the ball, but we'll see how that shakes out. 

"The AFC is just getting better, man. There'll be a couple dark horses in there, but those are the two or three that I really think are going to take a leap and be competitive."

Mike Pennel expects Aaron Rodgers to be "back with a vengeance" this season but struggles to split the 40-year-old from Patrick Mahomes, having played with both quarterbacks. 

Rodgers joined the New York Jets from the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster trade last year, only to rupture his Achilles in Week 1 and miss the remainder of the 2023 season.

With Rodgers now fully fit, the Jets are expected to be a major force in the AFC when the 2024 campaign gets under way this week, as they look to halt a miserable run of eight losing seasons in a row.

Kansas City Chiefs tackle Pennel spent three years alongside Rodgers in Green Bay, playing 37 games through the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Asked if he feels Rodgers has something to prove this year, he told Stats Perform: "Absolutely. I think that's why Aaron still does it. He's a highly competitive person as well. 

"He wanted to succeed and with how the Jets were set up last year, it was very, very, very unfortunate how the season began and turned out because they were going to be a formidable team in the AFC. 

"I know he's going to come back with a vengeance and he's prepared himself to do so. He has a lot in the tank. 

"He learned from [former Packers and Jets quarterback] Brett Favre. So we've at least got about five more years of Rodgers, right?"

Pennel has plenty of experience of playing with generational QB talents, having also teamed up with three-time Super Bowl winner Mahomes through two separate spells in Kansas City, the first spanning the 2019 and 2020 seasons before he returned to the team last October.

Rodgers has thrown for 59,055 yards and 475 touchdowns in 231 games through his 19 years in the NFL.

Mahomes, meanwhile, has already accumulated 28,424 yards and 219 touchdown passes through seven years with the Chiefs, and just six as their starter.

Mahomes' 2023 figures of 4,183 passing yards and 27 touchdown throws were his second-worst since becoming the Chiefs' starter in 2018, after the 2019 campaign (4,031 yards, 26 touchdown throws), yet he still came up trumps when it mattered to lead the team to Super Bowl LVIII glory.

Pennel believes Mahomes' mobility sets him out from all other quarterbacks, but he struggles to split him from Rodgers, who he sees as having a huge influence on others to play the position.

"I think Aaron Rogers, he has crazy arm talent, you know, he was the innovator of the no-look pass and coming out of the gap on scramble and things like that," he said.

"Pat's just a killer, man. I'm telling you about his mobility, but gosh, I mean, I feel like he's like the Ricky Bobby of the NFL!

"He's got the first or his last, you know what I mean? He has a different switch."

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has dismissed the idea that their meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday is a "revenge game".

The Ravens kick off the new NFL season against the reigning Super Bowl champions, having lost the AFC Championship game against them in January.

It was a fourth loss in six postseason games with Jackson as their starting quarterback and a fourth defeat against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in his career.

However, the 27-year-old has brushed off any suggestions that Baltimore will be using the AFC Championship game as extra motivation on Thursday.

"Any game I play in, I feel like it's a revenge game," Jackson said, via the team's website. "I'm not just going to look at this game like a revenge game.

"Anybody we play, no matter if we've beaten them or lost to them in previous years, I just want to win."

Jackson has led the Ravens to their best records in the NFL since joining in 2018, going 14-2 in 2019 and 13-4 last year. In the regular season, he has the second-best record at 58-19 (.753).

Jackson, who became the youngest-ever two-time NFL MVP since the AFL merger in February, is keen to make a quick start, though he is not getting too far ahead of himself.

"We have to win regular season games [in order] to get to January," Jackson added.

"We can't just go into the season and go 5-12, because then we're not going to be in the playoffs. Playoffs are on our mind, but at the same time, we have to win this game that's ahead of us."

"I'm ready to go. I've been going against my guys for weeks," Jackson said. "It's time to go against somebody else."

Travis Kelce's love of football means his off-field fame will not impact his desire to help the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl three-peat, says team-mate Mike Pennel.

Kelce has become recognised as one of the NFL's best tight ends through 11 seasons with the Chiefs, being named in the first All-Pro team on four occasions and becoming a nine-time Pro Bowler.

His partnership with quarterback Patrick Mahomes has helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls, including back-to-back crowns to cap the 2022 and 2023 seasons. 

However, it is Kelce's relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift that has taken his off-field image to a new level, making him one of the world's most recognisable sportspeople.

Alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, he also hosts the popular 'New Heights' podcast and has made several television appearances.

Chiefs tackle Pennel says there is no jealousy towards Kelce in the Chiefs' locker room, however.

He told Stats Perform: "We all love it, man. It's a brotherhood, so we're always excited when we see anyone on TV or succeeding off the field. 

"Trav definitely was that guy that had that trajectory, you know what I mean? So, to say that we're surprised by it... we're not really. I know that everybody's really happy for him and all the opportunities that he's getting."

The Chiefs are looking to make history in the 2024 season, with a chance to become the first team in the NFL to win three straight Super Bowls.

Of the eight previous teams to win back-to-back championships, none have even reached the Super Bowl in the following season. Pennel, however, believes Kelce's drive could help the Chiefs go where no team has gone before.

"I think it's testament to [general manager Brett] Veach. He puts people in the locker room that love the game of football," he said. 

"The money's great and everything like that, but I know genuinely that everyone in our locker room loves football. 

"I think that's what it's testament to, he's got all the accolades, he's done everything with all the money and everything, but he generally loves the game of football and loves being competitive and wants to help the Chiefs organisation excel.

"To take that next advantage with getting a three-peat and more Super Bowls, as many as they can during this window."

Mike Pennel urged the Kansas City Chiefs, and fans of the NFL in general, not to take Patrick Mahomes' greatness for granted.

Mahomes has led the Chiefs to four Super Bowl appearances since becoming the starting quarterback in 2018 and is one of just five in his position to win three or more Super Bowls as a starter.

The Chiefs have won the Lombardi Trophy in each of the past two seasons, with Kansas City targetting an unprecedented three-peat in 2024.

And Kansas City defensive tackle Pennel says Mahomes' importance to the Chiefs and the NFL as a while.

Pennel told Stats Perform: "He's very vital to our franchise. I think his play on the field speaks volumes for what type of player he is and how he prepares and how he works hard off the field to have that sustained success in every position.

"He's one of the greatest. He's going to be one of the greatest, and he's preparing himself to be that. He's not sulking in his own success or anything like that. He's still there every day, still does all the little things, even though he has all these accolades, he's still working every single day."

The 33-year-old believes Mahomes possesses many of the qualities that the greats of the sport had before him, and is a true inspiration for the younger players coming through.

He said: "When you have a guy like that on your team that takes no shortcuts, that makes it easy to be a role model for the younger guys, it's just, you're very fortunate. He's a rare guy. He's a lot of the likes of that Tom Brady, Joe Montana type of guy. So, it's a great advantage to have.

"You can't take his greatness for granted. I know as a defense, we're under 13 or less, we want to be a top-rated defense, a top 10 run, top 10 pass, just top 10 overall, so we can complement our team very well."

When asked about what sets Mahomes apart from the rest, Pennel stated his competitive edge and ability to perform on the biggest of stages, which has been integral to the Chiefs winning three of the last five Super Bowls.

He said: "It's his arm talent and he's very decisive. He's very confident in who he is and he goes about that approach every day, he's very, very competitive. I know he hates seeing the punt team out there.

"He feels like he can score on every drive and he wants to do that. So it's just, you know, that competitive edge in him, man, it's just something that's real different. That's gonna take him where he wants to be in this league. And that's why he's in those conversations now being one of the greatest."

When asked about opposing teams attempting to get under Mahomes' skin, Pennel added: "It's just motivation for him, I can't speak too much on why they would do that or why someone would do that or poke the bear, but it's going to make for a great game.

"I think it makes the game fun again, too.I miss the trash talking and going back and forth to how it used to be. It makes it a little fun, makes it a little different, makes the rivalry a little bit more intense. But he'll be excited to prove what he needs to prove on those games."

The Kansas City Chiefs are primed and ready to go as they aim to secure a three-peat, so says defensive tackle Mike Pennel.

Kansas City, inspired by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have won the last two editions of the Super Bowl.

Yet no team in NFL history has ever gone on to win the championship three times in a row.

Indeed, none of the eight teams that have won back-to-back Lombardi trophies has then gone on to reach the Super Bowl the following year. 

But Pennel is counting nothing out.

He told Stats Perform: "I think the intent is still the same.

"We've got a lot of veteran competitors.  the three-peat is spoken about, but that's something that's within our grasp if we stay focused and they're drilling that in us every day.

"So everybody's taking a very business-like approach to it. Nobody's lives are gonna be handed to them. So everybody's ready to go. You know, they're just chopping at the bit to get to [the start of the season]."

And coach Andy Reid is playing a huge role in that extra level of motivation.

"Coach Reid has always had that philosophy," Pennel added.

"His main thing is letting our personality show who we are, and getting the most optimal player out there. It's just letting us be who we are.

"So I have to fall back on the coaching there because he literally preaches that any time we go on the field, you know, let your personality show out there, have fun. And he genuinely means that.

"I don't have the exact recipe to success, but I know we play good coaches. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about Coach Reid.

"He loves his past players, and I think he really just coaches us like his own sons and treats us as that in there, and treats us with the same respect as a man as well.

"So, you know, it's easy to respect the guy and work for the guy and know that he has the philosophy to put you in the best position possible to succeed."

Reid, 66, is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, who he has coached since 2013.

And Pennel does not see Reid calling it a day anytime soon.

Pennel added: "He's been consistent. He's been the same since I've met him, and I know as competitive he is as well, it's just, you know, when he decides it's his time.

"I know that there's been no talks of that or discussions of that in the near future, but whenever he decides to, I think that's what it's going to be about.

"Then he'll always have the opportunity to do it."

The Chiefs open their 2024 season against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

Former rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit has not been selected for the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man squad for the 2024 season.

Rees-Zammit, who quit rugby in January to pursue a career in the NFL, has been training with the Chiefs throughout the offseason.

The former Wales wing joined the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program before signing a three-year deal with the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champions.

He featured in all three preseason games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears as he competed for a spot on the regular season team. 

NFL teams had until Tuesday afternoon to cut their squads down to 53 players for the season, which kicks off on September 5 when the Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens.

However, Rees-Zammit will not be on the sidelines after failing to make the cut under head coach Andy Reid, but his dream of playing in the NFL this season is not over.

He will now be placed on waivers, meaning another franchise could sign him, but he is expected to continue training with the Chiefs as part of their practice squad.

Rees-Zammit was not at practice with the Chiefs on Tuesday as he battled a back injury and his number nine jersey was worn by new signing JuJu Smith-Schuster earlier this week. 

The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed a contract with JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to the team for the 2024 season.

Smith-Schuster spent the 2022 season with the Chiefs and was the leading wide receiver in their Super Bowl-winning team, catching 78 passes for 933 yards and three touchdowns.

He spent 2023 with the New England Patriots after joining from the Chiefs but was released from his three-year contract earlier this month after struggling to replicate that form. He finished the season having caught 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown.

Prior to his first spell in Kansas City, Smith-Schuster spent five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the second round of the 2017 draft.

At wide receiver, the Chiefs also added Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy, though the former dislocated his shoulder in their first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The Chiefs will kick-off the new NFL season on September 5 against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead. 

Louis Rees-Zammit is excited for the future after the former Wales wing made his home debut for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rees-Zammit, who left rugby union to try his hand in American football, had been expected to miss the Chiefs' preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

However, he overcame injury concerns to feature at Arrowhead Stadium for the first time, albeit Kansas City lost 23-24.

Rees-Zammit took a kick-off, returned a Lions kick-off for 27 yards, and spent time as a wide receiver during his home bow.

"I got to experience [the atmosphere] a little bit," he said.

"I'm excited for another game here next week and then we'll see what happens.

"I'm trying my hardest. I'm working hard in training every day to show what I can do.

"The more reps I get, the better I'll get so I'm excited to see what's going to happen next week and obviously in the future."

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown will not need to go under the knife after he suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Brown joined the Chiefs as a free agent, having impressed with the Arizona Cardinals last season, finishing the campaign with 51 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns.

However, his Chiefs debut ended early as he sustained a dislocation of his shoulder joint in Kansas City's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Having caught a pass from Patrick Mahomes on the first play of the game, Brown was tackled and landed awkwardly on his left shoulder.

Thankfully for the Chiefs, Brown has avoided the need for surgery.

"They were able to get the joint back into place without surgery, which is a positive,'' Reid said.

"Then we'll just see on the recovery. He is back in Kansas City now. He stayed over in Jacksonville until they got that thing situated.''

Brown's status will be monitored ahead of the Chiefs' season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

Louis Rees-Zammit described his Kansas City Chiefs debut as a "great first experience" after the rugby star-turned NFL hopeful featured in their preseason defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Having won 32 caps for Wales, scoring five tries at last year's World Cup in France, Rees-Zammit stunned the rugby world by turning his back on the sport in January to enter the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.

Rees-Zammit signed with the reigning Super Bowl champions in March, with head coach Andy Reid saying he showed promise as a running back.

On Saturday, the 23-year-old featured as a running back, kicker and kick-returner, as well as part of the Chiefs' punt coverage team, as they were beaten 26-13 by the Jags.

The Welshman finished his debut with two carries for one yard, one reception for three yards and one special teams tackle, returns he is keen to build on.

"It was a great first experience," Rees-Zammit told the Irish NFL Show. "I loved it, I loved getting the snaps I did, on special teams as well, which was great.

"I've just got to look back on this, review it and see how I can get better.

"The atmosphere was great, it was pretty electric in the stadium and there was a load of Chiefs fans, which helped massively. It was a great game and I'm looking forward to the next one."

Kansas City face the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears in their final two preseason outings before beginning their quest for a third straight Super Bowl with a blockbuster meeting with the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

Harrison Butker's contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, according to reports.

Butker has penned a new, four-year deal with the Chiefs, who have won back-to-back Super Bowls.

Indeed, the 29-year-old has won three rings while with Kansas City, and converted the crucial field goal in their Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in early 2023.

The Chiefs have now tied Butker down until 2028, with the deal reportedly worth $25.6million, with $17.75m guaranteed, more than any other NFL kicker.

"There's no place I'd rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a [four] year extension," Butker said in a post on social media. "To the Heights!"

Butker has a field goal percentage of 89.1 across his career, while he has been on the Chiefs' roster since 2017.

Travis Kelce conceded last season took a toll on him, but the Kansas City Chiefs star is confident he can prepare fully for the upcoming campaign.

Tight end Kelce helped the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl triumph earlier this year.

The 34-year-old has spent much of the offseason on tour with his girlfriend Taylor Swift, even appearing in some of the pop superstar's shows in Europe.

However, now back at training camp, Kelce is not planning on slowing down any time soon.

"Last year was pretty taxing on my body," Kelce said after Saturday's session at Missouri Western State University.

"I've had more snaps than a lot of guys if not everybody in the NFL over the past five, six years, and I'm very prideful of that, but I know it has taken a toll on my body.

"So it's just making sure that my body's getting that rest and that ability to train harder and be able to withstand an entire 17-to-20-game season.

"This is my sanctuary. Everybody may say that is pretty gruelling, but I enjoy it. There's something about this place to get you ready every single year, and I'm not going to lie, I got pretty excited as the time started counting down to get out here and get this thing rolling.

"This is where it all starts. You can say it starts in the offseason, and yeah, you want to get that foundation set in the offseason of the leadership and the mentality and things like that.

"But at the end of the day, this is where you really find out what the team is made of, how you sharpen the iron, how your guys practice your practice habits, the attention to detail, and nobody does it better than coach [Andy] Reid."

Patrick Mahomes has challenged the Kansas City Chiefs to "get better" as they aim to win an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.

In February, the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy for a second consecutive year.

However, it did not look like they would even reach the showpiece match at times due to their inconsistent offense.

Mahomes threw 14 interceptions, the most in a single season in his career, while his receivers dropped 25 catchable passes, the most by any such group since the 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Chiefs entered the postseason as the number three seed in the AFC, their lowest since Mahomes became the starter in 2018.

Though they still got the glory in the end, the quarterback, who is entering his eighth year, is eyeing some big improvements to ensure they are in a better position to lift the trophy again this season.

"It's time to get better," Mahomes said at the start of the Chiefs training camp. "Every season starts differently.

"You've got to come in with that same mentality you had the year before, even with a higher intensity, and even though we won the Super Bowl last year, we felt like we didn't play our best football, especially offensively.

"So, it's our goal to be better that way and coming in with that mentality every single day.

"The end result [last season] was awesome, but I think a lot of us still have a weird feeling in our mouth.

"It wasn't fun every single week having to try to just continue to get better and better and the results not paying off the way you wanted to.

"It wasn't a lot of fun. We have a lot of those same guys back, and they know how that felt, and so we're going to try to prepare ourselves better this year so that we can play better throughout the season and obviously try to end with the same result."

While the offense were not at their best last season, the defense defined their run to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs had the second-best defense in the league, allowing an average of just 17.3 points per game in the regular season, and Mahomes is confident they will play a part in improving the level of the squad.

"We added a lot of speed," Mahomes added. "What's better than going against our defense?

"It's the best defense in the NFL, and we get to go against them every single day and really show where we're at and how we can get better."

The Chiefs will kick off the new season against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.