Welcome back, football! The NFL kicks off the 2017 regular season later tonight with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots hosting Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots are sizable favorites in this game, and expectations are high that they will repeat as Super Bowl champs. Alex Smith and the Chiefs have a strong chance to win the AFC West, although once again, Smith finds himself on a team with a different quarterback expected to be their long-term answer.
The San Francisco 49ers get their season going this Sunday when they host the Carolina Panthers.