The 2024 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night as the Baltimore Ravens head to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the defending back-to-back champion Kansas City Chiefs.
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Thursday night’s matchup is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, in which the Chiefs beat the Ravens, 17-10, en route to a Super Bowl appearance and eventual victory.
The Chiefs enter the game as three-point favorites, but recent history may actually favor the Ravens in this matchup.
With that being said, the staff at Newsweek Sports has put together their predictions for the first game of the 2024 season — and it’s surprisingly a unanimous decision.
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 28: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs and Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens shake hands after an NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 28, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Chiefs and Ravens kick off the 2024 season on Thursday.
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Ravens vs Chiefs Week 1 Predictions for 2024 NFL Season
Matt Levine: While Kansas City puts the finishing touches on their Super Bowl win from last season, Baltimore spoils all the fun. The Ravens have been looking forward to this matchup all offseason long and finally get their revenge against the Chiefs for last year’s AFC Championship Game. For the second straight season, Kansas City opens the year with a loss.
Prediction: Ravens 30, Chiefs 24
Ricardo Sandoval: The NFL is finally back, and Thursday night’s game is a matchup of two perennial contenders in the league. Although the Chiefs will begin their quest for a third straight Super Bowl title — which has never been done before — I’m going with the minor upset and picking the Ravens to come out on top on the road.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Chiefs 20
Alex Kirschenbaum: The Chiefs are poised to win a lot in 2024, as they look to become the first NFL team since the Green Bay Packers to win three straight championships (and the first team ever to win three straight in the Super Bowl era). But Baltimore boasts the reigning MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson, and will be putting up its best stuff on opening night against the presumed Super Bowl favorites.
The Ravens have lost some solid contributors this offseason, perhaps most notably linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to the Carolina Panthers and running back J.K. Dobbins to the Los Angeles Chargers. But Baltimore will look to rally the troops, and Jackson will no doubt hope that a revamped offensive line will give him even more time to cook in the pocket.
Prediction: Ravens 31, Chiefs 24
John Robinson IV: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will look to play spoiler against the Chiefs as they raise their 2023-24 Super Bowl banner. Baltimore will control the ball behind the rushing attack of Jackson and Derrick Henry. The Chiefs are down a receiver in Hollywood Brown, and Patrick Mahomes will be looking at a young stable of receivers to thrive against a stout Raven defense. This Week 1 matchup is more favorable for the Ravens as they look to put together a run at the Super Bowl this season.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Chiefs 14
Noah Camras: The last two Super Bowl champions (including the Chiefs) have lost their home openers. Moreover, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is dominant when he’s an underdog. In 14 games as a betting underdog in his career, Jackson is 12-1-1 against the spread and 10-4 straight up. While the Chiefs get their Super Bowl rings, the Ravens will start their 2024 season on a positive note.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Chiefs 23
