Chiefs vs. Ravens: Time, odds, prediction, keys, how you can watch, NFL stay stream for 2024 NFL Kickoff Recreation

In the end, the 2024 NFL season is upon us. We get issues began with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs internet hosting the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of final season’s AFC title recreation.

There are stars galore on the sphere for this one, starting, in fact, with Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. The league’s two most up-to-date MVPs and two of essentially the most distinctive and prolific playmakers in latest reminiscence shall be challenged in disparate methods by two of the NFL’s finest defenses, and we ought to be handled to a schematic delight given the teaching expertise on either side of the sphere.

Earlier than we break down the matchup in full, this is a have a look at how one can watch the sport.

Methods to watch 

Date: Thursday, Sep. 5 | Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas Metropolis)
Channel: NBC Stream: fubo
Comply with: CBS Sports App   
Odds: Chiefs -3; O/U 47 (through SportsLine consensus odds)

When the Ravens have the ball

Baltimore struggled to place up factors within the AFC title recreation, and for a lot of the sport struggled to maneuver the ball as nicely. Of its first eight drives of the sport, solely two gained greater than 30 yards, and just one went multiple yard into Kansas Metropolis territory. 

The Ravens then put collectively a five-play, 63-yard drive that ended with Zay Flowers‘ fumble close to the objective line; a 12-play, 74-yard drive that ended with Deon Bush choosing off Lamar Jackson ultimately zone; and a nine-play, 29-yard drive that culminated in a Justin Tucker area objective to chop Kansas Metropolis’s result in 10 earlier than the Chiefs simply ran out the clock. That is 145 yards on 32 performs (4.5 per play) throughout the primary eight possessions (one in every of which was a kneel-down), adopted by 166 yards on 29 performs (5.7 per play) throughout the ultimate three.

Baltimore’s working recreation was nearly non-existent, even earlier than the Ravens primarily determined to surrender on it. Gus Edwards had a 15-yard run on the second drive of the sport, however he, Justice Hill and Zay Flowers in any other case mixed for simply 12 yards on seven carries. Jackson noticed his passing home windows shrunk by Steve Spagnuolo’s suffocating secondary, whereas on the identical time Kansas Metropolis’s blitzing cross rush bore down on him and compelled him into errant throws and unhealthy selections. He completed simply 20 of 37 for 272 yards, one landing and one interception. 

Not lots of the modifications which were made since late January work in Baltimore’s favor. The Ravens have swapped out three of their 5 beginning offensive linemen (Morgan Moses, Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson), for instance, they usually haven’t added a lot in the way in which of difference-making pass-catchers (they misplaced Odell Beckham Jr. and drafted Devontez Walker). What they did add, although, is Derrick Henry. And he modifies the run-game math significantly. 

Jackson has lengthy juiced the effectivity of his backfield mates, and Henry has in fact been remarkably environment friendly for many of his profession. He noticed his yards per carry plummet over the past two years, however the hope is that taking part in subsequent to Jackson and behind a line that isn’t the worst within the NFL can reinvigorate him. He nonetheless wants solely a sliver of area to devastate a protection, and no one within the NFL is healthier at creating these slivers than is Jackson. Throw within the reality the Kansas Metropolis’s protection is significantly better towards the cross than the run, and also you probably have a recipe for a a lot totally different recreation than the one we noticed eight months in the past. 

If the Ravens fall behind, although, or if Kansas Metropolis’s run protection is ready to corral Henry after quick positive factors slightly than permitting explosives, then the Chiefs do nonetheless have related pass-game benefits to these that they had final 12 months. Related is the important thing distinction there, although, as a result of there are maybe a number of extra areas the Ravens can probably exploit — particularly at cornerback, the place L’Jarius Sneed is being changed by a conglomeration of younger gamers, none of whom has apparently stood out sufficient to be named the definitive starter. 

Whether or not that spot is exploitable for Baltimore relies upon a minimum of partially on whether or not star Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie shadows Zay Flowers in all places he goes, or if Flowers is in a position to attract one in every of Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Chamarri Conner or Nazeeh Johnson into area and work towards them as an alternative. Flowers is Jackson’s most explosive pass-catcher, and the one in a position to separate from defenders most rapidly. He’s primarily a human joystick, and if Todd Monken can scheme him into area and Jackson can rapidly and decisively discover him, there are yards available. The identical is probably true for Mark Andrews towards the Chiefs’ two-high coverages, that are at occasions susceptible to passes in the course of the sphere. That is the place Jackson and Andrews do their most injury, and it will fall on Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, Justin Reid and Bryan Cook to encompass the massive tight finish and take away his pictures up the seam and his YAC alternatives on crossers.

The Ravens may even must discover a method to neutralize Spagnuolo’s pressures in a means they principally have not in earlier matchups. The Chiefs have blitzed Jackson on 39.2% of dropbacks throughout his profession, the second-highest charge amongst groups towards whom he has performed multiple recreation. He is accomplished simply 53% of his passes at a mean of seven.0 yards per try on these performs, and he is transformed simply 26.7% of third-down alternatives when blitzed. If the Ravens cannot work out a method to win in these conditions, it’s going to be troublesome for them to recover from the bounce and beat the Chiefs themselves.

When the Chiefs have the ball

We’re more likely to see pretty important change on this facet of the matchup. 

The Ravens noticed a training exodus on the defensive facet of the ball this offseason, with Mike Macdonald leaving to take the head-coaching job in Seattle, Dennard Wilson turning into the defensive coordinator in Tennessee and Anthony Weaver being employed because the defensive coordinator in Miami. Former linebackers coach Zach Orr takes over for Macdonald, whereas secondary coach and pass-game coordinator Chris Hewitt was given the extra title of assistant head coach. There’s some teaching continuity there, but in addition pretty important mind drain. And it does not finish with the teaching employees.

Patrick Queen left in free company, as did Geno Stone, and Jadeveon Clowney. Eddie Jackson got here in to play the Stone position; the Ravens drafted edge rusher Adisa Isaac; they usually added extra our bodies within the secondary with Nate Wiggins (who regarded superior within the preseason), T.J. Tampa and Sanoussi Kane. Together with holdover stars like Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Justin Madubuike and  Marlon Humphrey, in addition to sturdy contributors in Marcus Williams, Brandon Stephens, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Kyle Van Noy and extra, there’s a lot readily available to stay a superb protection.

The query is whether or not the Ravens will be capable of attain that degree once more instantly, in a hostile surroundings towards the two-time defending champions. Having undergone a lot change this offseason, it is a troublesome ask. 

That is very true as a result of Kansas Metropolis has made enhancements on offense. Second-round decide Kingsley Suamataia ought to be an improve over Donovan Smith at left sort out. First-rounder Xavier Worthy is readily available so as to add juice to the passing recreation. On the very least, the receivers ought to be extra dependable than they have been for many of final season; they virtually cannot be any worse, and Rashee Rice ought to have a full-time position from the bounce this time round, whereas Worthy seems to be set to be extra instantly concerned than Rice was final 12 months. Throw in Travis Kelce and his improvisatory rapport with Patrick Mahomes, and you’re as soon as once more cooking with gasoline. (How the Chiefs handle Kelce’s reps to maintain him wholesome is one thing to look at. He took extra snaps off final 12 months than at any time in latest reminiscence, and that ought to proceed this season.) Whether or not and the way Baltimore is ready to generate strain up entrance, and the way rapidly that strain can get dwelling, will decide whether or not the new-look deep passing recreation the Chiefs wish to get again to shall be operational on this one, however that is one other added aspect for the Ravens to cope with.

How the Ravens select to deploy their secondary towards KC’s weapons shall be an attention-grabbing factor to look at. Hamilton is the very best theoretical matchup for each Kelce and Rice. Who does he cowl? If he is on Kelce, does Humphrey comply with Rice? In that case, does Baltimore have anybody quick sufficient to maintain up with Worthy? If not, can Ar’Darius Washington grasp with Rice within the slot, regardless of a big measurement drawback? How massive a job will Wiggins play in Week 1? How will obligations be distributed between Williams and Jackson after they go to a few security seems to be? Can Trenton Simpson capably deal with the position beforehand crammed by Queen? All of those are questions with out apparent solutions. 

Even when they’re adequately answered, although, there’s nonetheless the issue of coping with Mahomes himself. You may have all of the solutions you need, and Mahomes can and sometimes will nonetheless beat you. Blitz, drop into zone, play shell coverages, play man… there’s nothing you may throw on the market that’s going to flummox both him or Andy Reid. 

The Ravens ought to once more be a stable unit towards the run, although the inside of Kansas Metropolis’s offensive line might generate some benefits, significantly towards the non-Madubuike members of Baltimore’s defensive entrance. If Isiah Pacheco will get rolling downhill, that solely opens up extra alternatives for the Chiefs within the passing recreation. 

Prediction: Chiefs 27, Ravens 23

Kansas Metropolis misplaced the house opener final 12 months, however that Chiefs workforce did not have Chris Jones and was taking part in with an injury-hampered Travis Kelce. This Chiefs workforce is wholesome and by some means extra gifted than it was a 12 months in the past. The Ravens stay one of many prime contenders to their throne, however it can take some time longer for the champs to be dethroned. 

What does the SportsLine Projection Mannequin — up greater than $7,000 for $100 gamers on top-rated NFL picks since its inception — consider this opener? Try that prediction, in addition to picks for the entire Week 1 video games, right here.