Honestly, if you're looking for the Chiefs next game 2024, you've probably realized by now that the NFL calendar is a bit of a time machine. We're living in January 2026, yet the search for that 2024 magic never really stops. Why? Because that season was a wild ride that ended with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after a grueling run that redefined "clutch."
People get confused about the dates. They mix up the regular season and the postseason. But let's set the record straight: the final, most critical "next game" of that 2024 campaign wasn't even in 2024. It was Super Bowl LVIII, played on February 11, 2024, against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Confusion Around the Chiefs Next Game 2024
When fans search for the "next game" in the context of the 2024 season, they usually mean one of two things. Either they are looking for the playoff gauntlet that happened in early 2024, or they are reminiscing about the 2024-2025 regular season kickoff.
The 2024 playoffs were legendary. Kansas City went on the road—something they "couldn't do," according to the critics—and silenced Buffalo and Baltimore. That "next game" mentality is what built the dynasty.
The 2024 Postseason Gauntlet
If you're looking at the actual 2024 calendar year, the Chiefs' path was a bloodbath:
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- The Wild Card: They froze out the Dolphins at Arrowhead.
- The Divisional: A 27-24 nail-biter against the Bills in Orchard Park.
- The AFC Championship: A defensive masterclass against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
Then came the big one. Super Bowl LVIII.
That game against the 49ers basically solidified Patrick Mahomes as the greatest of his generation. It wasn't just a win; it was an overtime thriller where Mecole Hardman caught the game-winner. If you're looking for the "next game" from that era to rewatch, that's the one.
Looking Back at the 2024-2025 Kickoff
Now, if you mean the start of the 2024 season—the one where they tried (and eventually failed in early 2025) to get the "three-peat"—that game was against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5, 2024.
It was a Thursday night. The banner was raised. Isaiah Likely was an inch away from tying the game, but his toe was out of bounds. It was a game of inches that set the tone for the entire year.
Why the 2024 Schedule Still Matters Today
In 2026, we look back at the 2024 schedule as the blueprint. That year, the Chiefs faced a gauntlet of elite QBs: Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. They didn't just play them; they survived them.
The "next game" was always a test of depth. We saw Isiah Pacheco emerge as a true workhorse. We saw the defense, led by Chris Jones, prove they were the real heart of the team while the offense found its rhythm.
Key Lessons from the 2024 Campaign
- Don't bet against Mahomes on the road. The Buffalo game proved he doesn't need Arrowhead to dominate.
- Defense wins championships. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit was top-five for a reason.
- The "Next Game" is a mindset. Reid's "one week at a time" isn't a cliché; it's how they avoid traps.
What Really Happened With the 2024 Standings
A lot of folks forget that the Chiefs didn't actually have the #1 seed that year. They were the #3 seed. They had to play the hard way. Usually, the "next game" for a #3 seed is a home game, then two road games. They embraced the villain role.
In today's NFL (January 2026), the landscape has shifted, but the 2024 Chiefs remain the gold standard for how to handle a mid-season slump and turn it into a trophy.
If you're trying to track down footage or stats from those specific matchups, check the official NFL Game Pass archives. They have the full "all-22" coaches' film for the Divisional game against Buffalo—which, quite frankly, is a masterclass in play-calling.
Next Steps for Chiefs Fans: Go to the NFL YouTube channel and pull up the "Mic'd Up" highlights from the 2024 Divisional Round. It provides a level of insight into the sideline adjustments between Mahomes and Kelce that you simply won't see in the standard broadcast. Once you've watched that, compare the defensive schemes Spagnuolo used then to the current 2026 strategies to see how much the "Chiefs Way" has evolved.