Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens Picks and Predictions September 5th 2024

At 8:20 ET on Thursday, September 5th, the Ravens and Chiefs will kick off their season on NBC. The Chiefs are favored on the money line at -152 and are -3 point favorites on the point spread. The over/under line is sitting at 46.5 points for this week one AFC matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Ravens’ 13-4 record was the best in the AFC last season, and they advanced to the AFC Conference Championship before falling to the Chiefs (17-10). Baltimore went 5-0 in non-conference games and was 11-5 against teams with winning records. They struggled within their division, going 3-3, but still managed to finish on top of the AFC North. When favored, the Ravens went 12-4, and as underdogs, they went 2-1.

Against the spread, the Ravens were 12-7, going 10-6 as favorites and 2-1 as underdogs. Their games averaged 43.9 points, with an over/under record of 8-10-1. This placed them 17th in the league in average combined scoring.

The Ravens were 8th in offensive power rankings last season, averaging 27.7 points per game, which was 4th in the league. They led the NFL in both rushing attempts and yards, averaging 156.4 yards per game on the ground. Baltimore’s offense was also 4th in both home and road scoring, putting up 30.1 points at home and 24.5 on the road.

Despite being 29th in passing attempts, the Ravens were 3rd in passing yards per attempt. They finished the season with 367.6 yards per game, ranking 6th in the league. Additionally, Baltimore had the 2nd highest percentage of first downs coming from rushing plays, at 77.05%.

Leading the league in both takeaways and turnover differential, the Ravens’ defense was the best in the NFL last season. They gave up just 16.2 points per game, the lowest figure in the league, and held quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 71.64, also the best in the NFL. Their secondary was particularly strong, allowing just 5.1 yards per passing attempt, ranking 1st in the league.

Against the run, the Ravens allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns and gave up 4.5 yards per attempt, ranking 10th. In terms of yards allowed, they were 4th in the NFL, giving up just 297.6 yards per game. Their ability to get to the quarterback was also key, as they led the league in sacks.

The Ravens’ playoff run ended in the AFC Conference Championship with a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs. During the regular season, Baltimore went 13-4, topping the AFC North and finishing with the best record in the AFC. They were 7-1 on the road and 7-4 at home. Within their division, the Ravens went 3-3, and they were undefeated in non-conference games (5-0).

Against the spread, the Ravens were 12-7, with a 10-6 record as the favorite and 2-1 as the underdog. Their games averaged 43.9 points, and their over/under record was 8-10-1. When favored, the Ravens were 12-4, and they went 11-5 against teams with winning records.

The Ravens were 8th in the NFL in offensive power rankings last season, averaging 27.7 points per game, which was 4th in the league. They led the NFL in both rushing attempts and rushing yards per game, averaging 156.4 yards on the ground per contest. Baltimore also excelled in the running game, finishing 3rd in rushing yards per attempt. At home, they averaged 30.1 points per game, while on the road, they averaged 24.5 points per game.

In the passing game, the Ravens were 3rd in passing yards per attempt but were limited to 211.2 passing yards per game, ranking 21st in the league. They also had the 2nd highest percentage of first downs coming from rushing plays, at 770.5%. In the red zone, the Ravens were 2nd in red zone attempts but struggled with a 31st ranking in red zone conversion percentage.

Leading the league in both takeaways and turnover differential, the Ravens’ defense was the best in the NFL last season, giving up just 16.2 points per game. They also excelled in the passing game, allowing only 5.1 yards per attempt, which was the best in the league. Additionally, they allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns in the league.

On the road, the Ravens allowed just 15 points per game, the best figure in the NFL. Overall, they gave up only 297.6 yards per game, ranking 4th in the league. Their success was also reflected in their opponents’ passer rating, which was the lowest in the NFL.

Ravens Eager for Opening Rematch Against Champion Chiefs in Season Opener

The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, are set to begin their quest for a historic third consecutive NFL title this Thursday. Their journey kicks off with a highly anticipated rematch against the Baltimore Ravens, sparking one of football’s most exciting rivalries.

This matchup serves as a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game, where the Chiefs narrowly defeated the Ravens 17-10 to secure their spot in Super Bowl LVIII. As both teams gear up for the season opener, the stakes are higher than ever, promising an intense battle to start the NFL season.

Mahomes vs. Jackson: A Quarterback Rivalry Revisited

Thursday’s game marks the sixth showdown between Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP. Mahomes currently holds a 4-1 advantage in their head-to-head record, but Jackson is downplaying the rivalry, focusing instead on the bigger picture.

The quarterback rivalry has been a compelling storyline, but for Jackson, every game is an opportunity to make a statement, and Thursday’s game is no different.

Ravens Ready to Run the Ball More in 2024

A critical reason for the Ravens’ loss in last season’s AFC Championship Game was their surprising departure from their dominant running game. Despite leading the NFL in rushing during the regular season, Baltimore ran the ball just 16 times in that pivotal game, with half of those attempts coming from Jackson himself.

To address this imbalance, the Ravens have bolstered their backfield by adding four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry. Signed to a two-year, $16 million deal in the offseason, Henry is expected to be a key player in Baltimore’s offense. Ravens fans are eager to see how head coach John Harbaugh will incorporate Henry, especially given his history of success against the Chiefs.

Henry has racked up 672 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in six games against Kansas City over the past eight seasons. The Ravens had attempted to acquire him at last season’s trade deadline but were unsuccessful. Now that he’s part of their roster, Henry is confident he can make a difference.

Henry’s Impact on the Rematch

When asked about his potential influence on last season’s playoff game, Henry was candid: “Hell yes. I wanted to suit up that day, but now it’s my turn. I’ve got to take advantage of it this Thursday.”

Henry’s power-running style might be exactly what the Ravens need to counter the Chiefs’ high-powered offense. Combined with Jackson’s mobility and the Ravens’ physical playstyle, Henry’s presence creates a formidable ground attack that Kansas City will have to prepare for.

Chiefs Focused on History and Setting the Tone

On the other hand, the Chiefs are chasing history. Winning another Super Bowl would make them the first team since the 1960s to secure three consecutive NFL titles. Thursday’s season opener presents them with the chance to set the tone while unveiling their Super Bowl LVIII championship banner.

Mahomes, widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, acknowledges the challenge the Ravens bring. He spoke highly of Baltimore’s defense, knowing their physicality and speed will require Kansas City’s best effort.

Key Matchup: Ravens Defense vs. Chiefs Offense

While the spotlight often shines on the quarterbacks, the key to the game may lie in how well the Ravens’ defense can handle Kansas City’s explosive offense. Despite changing defensive coordinators over the years, Baltimore has consistently fielded one of the league’s top defenses. This season opener will require them to continue that tradition if they hope to contain Mahomes and the Chiefs’ high-powered attack.

Kansas City is known for its versatility and ability to score quickly, but Baltimore’s defense has the tools to disrupt their rhythm. The defensive line, linebackers, and secondary will all need to step up to the challenge of containing Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the rest of Kansas City’s talented receiving corps.

Thursday Night Showdown: A Game of High Stakes

Both teams have much at stake in this season opener. For the Ravens, it’s a chance to avenge their loss in the AFC Championship Game and start the season with a statement win. For the Chiefs, it’s an opportunity to remind the league why they’re the reigning champions and why they’re gunning for another historic season.

Mahomes and the Chiefs are determined to continue their dominance, while Jackson and the Ravens are equally determined to prove they belong among the NFL’s elite. All signs point to a thrilling, hard-fought game that could set the tone for the rest of the season.

Conclusion

As the Kansas City Chiefs raise their Super Bowl LVIII banner and embark on their quest for a third consecutive title, they will face a hungry Baltimore Ravens team out for redemption. With the Mahomes-Jackson rivalry heating up once again and Derrick Henry adding firepower to the Ravens’ offense, the Thursday night season opener is shaping up to be one of the must-watch events of the year.

Expect physicality, speed, and high stakes from both sides as they battle it out in this rematch. Football fans everywhere won’t want to miss this thrilling start to the NFL season.

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Chiefs to cover as home favorites in this week one matchup against the Ravens. Currently, the point spread lines have the Chiefs at -3, and we have them winning 22-18 over the Ravens.

For this week one matchup, our pick vs. the spread is to take the Chiefs to cover as home favorites. As for an over/under pick, with the line sitting at 46.5 points, we like the under, with a projected combined score of 40 points.