Football has taken the hearts of sports fans nationwide for more than one hundred years. The National Football League (NFL) is kicking off its 2024 season with an AFC Championship rematch on Thursday night.

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will play Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener at Arrowhead Stadium. Ravens fans (and NFL fans in general) have been waiting for this matchup since the 2024 season schedule was released. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship game.

Mahomes and the Chiefs went on to win their second straight Super Bowl championship (LVII, LVIII) after beating Brock Purdy and the San Fransisco 49ers in overtime (25-22).

After watching Mahomes win a third Super Bowl ring, with two back-to-back, teams share one goal: to stop the Chiefs from a three-peat. Of course, their main goal is obtaining a playoff spot and excelling from there, but to do that, they have to stop the generational talent.

In the NFL, fans expect the unexpected. From underdog teams making it to the playoffs to star players getting injured, the league is full of surprises. The offseason hype wears off when the season is in full effect and reality sets in.

However, “watch out for the underdogs” is a phrase for a reason. Here are four teams to watch; in other words, don’t sleep on them.

(Again, the league is unpredictable. Anything could happen.)

Chicago Bears (#BearDown)

After finishing the 2023 season 7-10 and last in the NFC North, the Chicago Bears are ready to take back the North (in the words of General Manager Ryan Poles). With a top-5 defense, a polished offense, new offensive coaches, and a No. 1 pick quarterback, “Da Bears” are ready for a fight.

The team bolstered their offense with proven veterans (Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift) and drafted a first-round wide receiver (Rome Odunze) to provide solid support for rookie QB Caleb Williams.

This year’s offense, which includes DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Tevin Jenkins, and others, is the best the team has had in a while.

With a rising defense, spearheaded by Jaylon Johnson, Tremaine Edmunds, TJ Edwards, Jaquan Brisker, and others, the Bears are in a strong position to be NFC North Champions.

First game of the season: Sunday, September 8, vs. Tennessee Titans @ Soldier Field (1P | 12C)

Pittsburgh Steelers (#HereWeGo)

The Steelers announced last week that veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who joined them in the offseason, will be QB1. Last season, the team went 10-7 and was third in the AFC North.

During the offseason, linebacker Patrick Queen joined the Steelers and elevated their already exceptional defense. Justin Fields also made his way to Pittsburgh via a trade, and brings a fresh, young skillset to the quarterback room as QB2.

Pittsburgh made the playoffs in 2023 but was defeated 17-31 by the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round. Imagine how powerful they can be with Wilson and Fields.

First game of the season: Sunday, September 8, vs. Atlanta Falcons @ Mercedes Benz Stadium (1P | 12C)

Atlanta Falcons (#DirtyBirds)

Kirk Cousins is looking to start the season in the win column with a new team. After leaving the Minnesota Vikings and returning from an Achilles injury, Cousins is in ATL, ready to elevate the Falcon’s offense.

The quarterback isn’t the only former NFC North player to make his way to the South; wide receiver Darnell Mooney was also an offseason addition.

After spending his first four years in the league with the Chicago Bears, Mooney, a 1,000-yard receiver, is back in action. He’s ready to bounce back after missing a portion of the 2022 season with an ankle injury and a limited 2023 campaign.

The Falcons went 7-10 and finished third in the NFC South last season, but with their upgrades, they look to make the playoffs.

First game of the season: Sunday, September 8, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Mercedes Benz Stadium (1P | 12C)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (#WeAreTheKrewe)

Baker Mayfield got the last laugh when everyone counted him out. He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 9-8 season, clinching the NFC South division title and appearing in the Divisional Round against the Detroit Lions (who beat the Bucs 31-23).

The Bucs are looking to continue their success, and their underdog story is something to keep watching.

First game of the season: Sunday, September 8, vs. Washington Commanders @ Raymond James Stadium (3:25P | 2:25C)

Which team do you think is the real underdog?