Ravens at Chiefs: An AFC Championship Game Rematch

The Baltimore Ravens open the 2024 season by battling the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Kickoff Game (Sept. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET). By starting with KC, the Ravens are facing a reigning Super Bowl champion in Week 1 for the first time in franchise history. The matchup – featuring QB Lamar Jackson (2019 & 2023) and QB Patrick Mahomes (2018 & 2022) – marks the first time in NFL history that multiple-time league MVPs will square off in Week 1.

• Betting Line: Chiefs are 3-point favorites; over/under at 46
• Broadcast Team: NBC featuring Mike Tirico (PBP), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline)
• Forecast at Kickoff: Intermittent clouds, 80 degrees; winds WNW at 6 MPH; 4% chance of rain

Will the Ravens get a measure of revenge at Arrowhead to start the season?

Tony Lombardi

Make no mistake about it, the Kansas City Chiefs are the league’s darlings. Deny it if you’d like, but they get the calls (or no calls); they are seeking a three-peat; they employ the NFL’s most favored son (Patrick Mahomes); Taylor Swift will be in the house, and we all know how the networks eat that up; and the Chiefs are playing at home in front of 76,000+ forming a sea of red. It’s a lot to overcome, but the oddsmakers seem to think it will be a tightly contested game.

Last season during the AFCCG, Andy Reid & Co. completely outclassed John Harbaugh and his staff. And now that the Ravens have lost four of their best coaches since that heartbreaking defeat at The Bank, things aren’t going to get any easier for the team’s brain trust.

I expect the Chiefs to start faster than the Ravens. Mahomes did see some preseason action and you have to think that helps knock off some of the rust. So, look for KC to get up on the Ravens quickly and eventually force the Ravens to become one-dimensional, negating Derrick Henry‘s value. The Ravens will chip away at the Chiefs lead late in the game but unfortunately it will be too little, too late.

Notables:

• Lamar throws for more yards than Mahomes
• Henry has fewer rushing yards than Isiah Pacheco
• Rashod Bateman leads all receivers with 90 yards and a TD
• Travis Kelce messes with Justin Tucker’s kicking toys…again

Chiefs 24 Ravens 17

[Related Article: Bold Predictions for the Ravens 2024-25 Season]

Rob Shields

When the Ravens and Chiefs met in the AFC title game, the Ravens lost the game more than the Chiefs won it. Between dumb penalties, poor coaching, poor game planning and bad mistakes, the Ravens handed the Chiefs the game.

In that game, the Chiefs blitzed Lamar a good bit and he struggled vs that blitz.

So, will the Ravens adjust? Will the new Oline jell and be able to pick up those blitzes? How much of a difference does Henry make?

The Ravens are healthy and you know they want revenge but my guess is that everyone, coaches included, try to do too much and get too much in their own heads…again.

Chiefs 23 Ravens 17

Darin McCann

I’m of the opinion that this is the first of two match-ups between these teams in the 2024 season, and I think this one will be a little sloppy.

The Ravens are facing the two-time champs with a neophyte defensive coordinator and an offensive line that appears to be a work in progress — work that will most likely continue in earnest throughout the season. The Chiefs, as mentioned before, are the two-time champs, and, more importantly, have one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever step foot on a field on their side. That being said, it wasn’t an easy season for them last year, particularly on the offensive side, and a question looms at their left tackle position, as well as with their receiving unit. Long story short, these are two teams that I see getting better as the season goes on, and could have some bumps at the start.

In this one:

• Derrick Henry does enough to get Ravens fans excited, running for more than 80 yards and a touchdown;
• Lamar Jackson makes a couple “Lamar Jackson” plays, but also has two turnovers;
• David Ojabo has a big game, with a sack and several hurries;
• Marlon Humphrey gets some time on Travis Kelce, and does a nice job;
• Trenton Simpson has a huge splash play, and gets beaten badly for a touchdown in his starting debut;

Chiefs 20 Ravens 17

Kevin McNelis

Arrowhead is undoubtedly one of the toughest stadiums to enter as a visiting team right now. With the Chiefs unfurling their banner, it’ll be especially so, but this Ravens team has always loved to play the bad guy and the spoiler. They may be poised to do just that on Thursday night.

-Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are going to get their connection back to normal in a hurry. However, it won’t take as long as their last matchup to see the targets to Kelce slow down. Zach Orr will get a feel for the areas of the field where Kelce is 1-on-1 or in soft zone underneath, and he’ll use a three-safety look to double Kelce and jump a route for an interception. My money is on Brandon Stephens or Ar’Darius Washington making the pick.

-Derrick Henry is going to be looking to make his presence felt as a brand-new Raven. Over the course of his career, Henry has posted more yardage against the Chiefs than any other non-AFC South opponent. Combine that with the fact that this Ravens offense is going to want to get him rolling after sitting out the preseason, and it could be a busy night for #22. Henry rolls for 75 yards and a rushing TD.

-KC’s defensive front, combined with the crowd noise, aren’t going to make things easy for Baltimore’s O-line. The noise will result in multiple false starts, and they’ll give up at least three sacks. However, the Ravens simplify the offense with rushes to the outside combined with quick passes underneath, and they look smoother as the game goes along.

-Some prognosticators are putting this game up as a high-scoring affair, but I truly don’t see it. I think both defenses dig their heels in, and the game comes down to a key turnover. As I think about this game, I keep envisioning the strip-sack by Oweh that sealed the deal in 2021, and I get the feeling that a similar play ices it for Baltimore late.

Ravens 20 Chiefs 13

Derek Arnold

Todd Monken and Lamar Jackson had no answers for Spags’ blitzes when these teams last met, and that was with the benefit of an OLine that had played together for most of a season. Will that improve when the Ravens roll into KC with a unit featuring several newcomers? Color me pessimistic. And yes, that’s even with the benefit of Derrick Henry setting up far more 2^nd– and 3^rd– and short situations than the Ravens had the benefit of in January.

Throw in that the Ravens’ offensive starters didn’t play together this preseason, and I think we’re in for an ugly showing on that side of the ball. Think back to last season’s opener against Houston: yes, the final score reads 25-9, but it was a slog moving the ball (265 yards of total offense), and the defense had the benefit of playing against a rookie QB making his first NFL start, at home.

This time around is uh…not that.

Not that I expect KC to be firing on all cylinders either. They put up just over 300 yards of offense in their Week 1 loss to Detroit last year, and they’ve gotten off to some slow starts in recent seasons (though that was Pat’s first Week 1 defeat).

But with the Ravens featuring a new OL, and a new DC, and playing this team in that environment, I would be shocked if Baltimore isn’t 0-1 Friday morning. Like a preseason game, I’ll be satisfied to get out without injury.

Chiefs 17 Ravens 13

Chad Racine

The Ravens have typically done well in season openers under Harbaugh but didn’t usually include facing the Super Bowl champions in their stadium. The Ravens will no doubt be hungry and ready to wipe the taste of last year’s AFC Championship defeat out of their mouths. I think coaching in this game is going to be a major challenge. Zach Orr will be facing offensive guru Andy Reid in his first real game action. By no means will that be an easy first task and Reid should fool him at least a couple of times. Steve Spagnuolo will also have some tricks up his sleeve to confuse the young offensive line. Probably a game that would’ve been an easier task later in the season. On the other hand the Chiefs have been known to struggle early in seasons. While the Chiefs may be the favorite they know that they couldn’t have a more difficult team to face for their opener.

– Andy Reid will find ways to confuse the Ravens defense for a few major big plays. Not only is Zach Orr a first time play caller but young players like Trenton Simpson and Nate Wiggins may have their Welcome-to-the-NFL moments.

– Lamar will take 3 sacks and evade a few others on some exotic blitzes. He will still throw for two touchdowns and have one fumble.

– Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman will be the touchdown recipients.

– Derrick Henry will be held to under 80 yards in large part to the offensive line struggles.

-Marlon Humphrey will look like he’s in his prime again and have an interception.

-Trenton Simpson will have some mistakes but will show the promise of why he’s going to be better than Patrick Queen.

-David Ojabo will have a sack and consistent pressure all game.

Chiefs 20 Ravens 17

Chris Schisler

I haven’t been shy about the expectations I have placed on the Ravens this year. I see no reason that this can’t be a Super Bowl season and I think they can beat any team on their schedule. I am not blind to the severe challenge in front of them. The Ravens have only beaten Patrick Mahomes once. Give me the Ravens to beat them a second time. I think this will be a tight and dramatic battle much like the AFC Championship. The difference will be that the Ravens will run the football and play the game on their terms. They will set up comfortable third-down situations (or as comfortable as it gets in the loudest venue in football). Derrick Henry will be the X-Factor. The Chiefs will have trouble slowing him down and it will open everything up for intermediate and deep shots down the field. The Ravens will take advantage of their opportunities this time because they will be the hungry team, the aggressor of the contest.

Predictions:

• Kyle Hamilton forces Patrick Mahomes to fumble on a blitz and takes it to the house for six.
• Roquan Smith will step in front of Travis Kelce for a pivotally important interception. The Ravens will win the turnover battle 2-0.
• Derrick Henry has 16 carries for 110 yards. In one of those carries he will break a tackle on the edge to get into the open field and scamper for 50 statement-making yards.
• Lamar Jackson will throw for 220 yards and rush for 60.
• Zay Flowers will have six receptions for 90 yards.
• The Ravens will control the time of possession battle, hogging the football for 39 minutes of the game. Expect long drives that keep Mahomes on the bench as much as possible.

Ravens 24 Chiefs 17

Tanner George

The NFL is finally back, and it’s starting with a bang.

The Ravens will be fired up to avenge their loss in the 2023 AFC Championship Game after watching the Chiefs raise their Super Bowl banner. This game will be a tense one for Baltimore, who will have to keep their emotions in check to win in Arrowhead.

Offensively, Jackson will throw for 225 yards and a touchdown on 20/27 passing while adding 40 yards on the ground. The King will rumble into the endzone twice, rushing for 80 total yards and catching one pass out of the backfield. Flowers will go for 70 yards through the air, while Andrews will rack up 80 and a touchdown in his return.

The defense will give Patrick Mahomes fits all night in the pocket, recording 4 sacks, including 1.5 from Justin Madubuike. Both Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson will log 10+ tackles, with Ro forcing a fumble on a blitz play. The secondary will play a clean game, not allowing any huge plays, but Mahomes keeps the ball out of their hands.

This one will come down to the wire, but ultimately Justin Tucker sends the Ravens home with a W.

Ravens 27 Chiefs 24

Brennan Stewart

If the Ravens want to win their season opener, they need to demonstrate that they learned their lesson from the AFC Championship game. That lesson?

Run. The. Ball.

It’s simple— Kansas City is notorious for its pass rush but its run defense is certainly shy of impressive. Combine that with the dual threat of Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, well, it should be a run heavy game. Should be. And if it’s not, and Baltimore loses as a result, John Harbaugh may just have fans armed with pitchforks calling for his termination in Week 1.

Yes, it’s a revenge game, but Baltimore also needs to set the tone for the season by ensuring opponents conform to their play style, not the other way around. That’s why I expect King Henry to surpass 100 rushing yards and the majority of Baltimore’s points to come from the ground.

Chris Jones and Co. will help make the passing game difficult for the Ravens with four sacks, a repeated number from the AFC Championship game. Lamar Jackson, however, does not repeat his one interception from January, finishing the game with zero and a completion percentage that improves beyond 54.

It’s going to be a close one, but Baltimore has more growing to do this season at more positions on its roster and coaching staff.

The seasoned Kansas City Chiefs take this one.

Chiefs 20 Ravens 17

Jared Pinder

The NFL Season kicks off with the matchup that ended last year’s season for the Ravens. We are however a new team, with new players. This is always the hardest game to predict because we have no idea how this team is going to play. The main concern is the defense as we’ve yet to see Zach Orr as an NFL defensive coordinator. If the Chiefs do dunk on Orr’s defense, it’s going to be up to the Ravens offense to do its job against a ferocious KC defense. Will they actually run the ball this time? Will they be able to overcome a team that ripped out their hearts last year?

– Ravens get the run game going as Henry has his first touchdown with the Ravens

– Ravens defense struggles under a new coordinator as Mahomes puts up two touchdowns.

-Offensive line struggles against a good KC DL and they end up sacking Lamar three times

– Despite struggles early, the Ravens push through and win a tight matchup to kickoff the 2024 Season

Ravens 24 Chiefs 14

Colin Russell

This game has a very weird feel. On one hand, it is only week 1, and both the Ravens and Chiefs know how long of a season it is. Both teams understand that playing your best ball down the stretch is much more important than coming out and putting it all together right away. On the other hand, it’s Ravens vs Chiefs, an AFC Championship rematch that even though they may not admit it leading up to the game, is one the Ravens want very bad.

This game will be won or lost in the trenches. The Ravens offensive line has been the main question mark of this team all offseason, and to expecting them to gel immediately against the likes of Chris Jones and company may be asking a little much. But if they can string a couple of good drives together and allow Lamar to operate like his MVP self, the offense shouldn’t have a difficult time moving the ball down the field.

On the opposing side, the Ravens return every member of their stout defensive line, in the AFC Championship the Ravens held the Chiefs to 2.8 yards per carry on 32 attempts. If they can bottle up the Kansas City running game and force the Chiefs into as many third and longs as possible, that will give them the best chance to limit Mahomes.

This game will be a dogfight and could go either way. It has the feel of a game where whoever has the ball last will most likely come out on top. I have Justin Tucker kicking a game winning field goal to lift the Ravens to a victory, a win that should give the Ravens some serious momentum throughout September, a month they have historically dominated under coach Harbaugh.

Ravens 26 Chiefs 23

John Hughey

It’s that wonderful time of year again—football season, and what better than the Ravens beginning their revenge tour in the home of the now-back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs this Thursday? There are plenty of storylines surrounding this game on both sides of the ball, but one thing is for certain: We’re in store for some great football.

-The Ravens have missed a true three-down back for quite some time. The addition of Derrick Henry will make this Ravens running game more dynamic than ever. Despite the preseason struggles of the newly constructed offensive line, expect to see Henry make a solid impression in his debut. I could see 60+ rushing yards and a TD from Henry in Week 1.

— The matchups between the Ravens secondary and the Chiefs receivers are something to truly keep an eye on. One matchup, in particular, will be Kyle Hamilton and Travis Kelce, a battle the Chiefs tight end had the upper hand in during the AFCCG. Thursday however will fair in Hamilton’s favor. I feel we see Hamilton begin his run for a DPOY candidacy, holding Kelce to under three receptions and 40 yards in coverage.

— Lamar Jackson is no stranger to getting things rolling in Week 1 since entering the league in 2018. Jackson holds a 5-1 record to go along with 1,240 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions in six Week 1 games in his career. With Kansas City deciding to move on from L’Jarius Sneed in the offseason, a key piece to their secondary in 2023, it’ll be interesting to see who steps up to fill the void for the Chiefs. Jackson’s newly formed chemistry with Likely and Bateman could get this Ravens passing game to the next level. I’m expecting big things from Jackson in 2024, who gets it going early throwing for 225 passing yards and two TDs, one to each of those guys I just mentioned.

Under John Harbaugh, Baltimore has a 12-4 record in Week 1 games, winning seven of their last eight, the only loss coming on the road in 2021 to the Raiders in overtime. The Chiefs during the Patrick Mahomes era, are 5-1 in Week 1 matchups. Both teams are coming out with something to prove however, I see the Ravens healthy preseason working to their advantage, pulling out a close one that comes down to the final drive. The defenses see the explosiveness of both offenses as the Ravens pull out a win on the road, sealed by a Ravens takeaway.

Ravens 24 Chiefs 21

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