Fresh off a dynasty, why not add one more championship to the collection?
That’s the goal for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. They have a mountain of mighty rivals to climb in order to three-peat, with the first test coming in the form of an AFC Championship Game rematch against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1.
Key game details
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 5
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT / 8:30 p.m. ET
Network/streaming: NBC, Peacock
Radio: 96.5 The Fan, Chiefs mobile app
Broadcasters: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth
Referee: Shawn Hochuli
Spread: Chiefs 2- to 3-point favorites
Weather: Approx. 83°, cloudy, up to 7 mph winds, chance of thunderstorms 22%
Injury reports from Wednesday
Hat tip to Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen for the screenshot.
The Chiefs have just one player listed as out for this game: receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. He sustained a shoulder injury on the first play of the first preseason game, and it was expected that he would miss the season opener. The big question is whether he’ll be able to return for Week 2 — the Chiefs likely won’t rush him back so early in the season, so when he does play, he’ll truly be at 100 percent.
Outside of Brown, the Chiefs carry no designations for this game. A few players not named above that will miss the game include defensive ends Charles Omenihu (physically unable to perform list) and B.J. Thompson (non-football/illness list), as well as running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (NFI list).
Notable storylines for Week 1
Chiefs-Ravens rivalry continues
The Ravens are one of a few AFC teams that have been in a Super Bowl window for a while now, but just can’t seem to get past the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Ravens are specifically having a tough time, with the Lamar Jackson-led squad going 1-4 against the Mahomes-led Chiefs since 2018.
At this point, you know the Ravens are absolutely sick of losing to K.C. And they’re especially sick after losing the AFC Championship just eight months ago. Needless to say, Baltimore will pull everything out of the bag to win this one and prove that they’re the team to beat in the AFC.
Patrick Mahomes has some new friends
New weapons for Mahomes? Yes, please. Though Mahomes will have to wait to play with his shiny new toy in Hollywood Brown, he still has the NFL’s newest fastest man in WR Xavier Worthy. A deep shot to Worthy in this game is essentially a guarantee. Plus, JuJu Smith-Schuster is back, rookie tight end Jared Wiley has a chance to make a difference, and there are two new RBs in the mix: Carson Steele and Samaje Perine.
While everyone is excited to see the bruising rookie Steele (as am I), Perine may quietly be the difference-maker. The Chiefs love their pass-blocking, third-down RBs, and Perine fits that bill just as well as Jerick McKinnon once did. While Steele should certainly get some looks, expect Perine to be a favorite bailout target for Mahomes when he needs to dump the ball off.
Is cornerback a position of weakness?
Every team has its weaknesses, and the Chiefs’ biggest hole might be at cornerback depth. Not that there’s not talent, because there is. Trent McDuffie was a top-five corner last year. However, CB2 and depth are concerning, with questions surrounding whether Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson can play consistently well against top competition, and whether Nazeeh Johnson can take a step up (and stay healthy) after missing the 2023 season. Luckily, the Chiefs’ safety depth is insane, and practically all of those guys can play cornerback at a high level as well.
No idea what to expect with kick returns
The Chiefs’ starting kick returner is currently listed as Mecole Hardman, with Skyy Moore and Steele listed as backups. We got a taste of the new kickoff rules during preseason, in which the Chiefs actually saw a solid amount of success by averaging just over 30 yards per return. However, competition will be much more stiff during the regular season, and special teams coordinator Dave Toub certainly has a secret bag of tricks that he’s probably waiting to unleash. So we’ll see what happens.
Benny & The ‘Buy-Ins’: Higher/Lower Picks for Chiefs vs. Ravens on Underdog Fantasy, by Ben Heisler
Thrilled to be back ahead of the start of football season!
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PATRICK MAHOMES: 20.5 Rush Yards - HIGHER
Fresh legs and the healthiest he’ll be all season, Mahomes won’t hesitate to take off. As of late, he’s running in season openers too! Pat cleared this number by a half yard in 2022, but then dropped 45 rush yards the following year at home vs. the Lions.
He’s also gone higher than his set number in five of his last six primetime games. Run. Pat. Run.
DERRICK HENRY: 0.5 Rush/Rec Touchdowns - HIGHER
If Baltimore had concerns about their franchise QB missing 10 starts the last two years, they certainly addressed it by providing King Henry as a backfield mate for Lamar Jackson. Since 2022, Henry ranks first in total carries, second in total rushing yards and total touchdowns.
If the Ravens get inside the 10, Henry will have an open invitation to try and eat.
LAMAR JACKSON: 1.5 Passing Touchdowns - LOWER
Historically, Jackson has struggled against Kansas City, averaging more rushing yards than passing yards per attempt. Additionally, the Chiefs’ strong pass defense and Jackson’s adjustments to a rebuilt offensive line further suggest some concerns for attacking the red zone through the air.
I’m not expecting another 5 for 15 from Lamar, but with how well the single-high look has fared, the Ravens might just run until they’re dared not to.
TRAVIS KELCE: 0.5 Total Yards - HIGHER (free gimme pick for new Underdog Fantasy players
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Chiefs-Ravens matchup history
The Chiefs lead the all-time series 8-5 over the Ravens dating back to 1999. The teams have split 1-1 in the postseason; we all remember the Chiefs’ AFC Championship Game victory over Baltimore last year, while we would all like to forget the 30-7 blowout playoff loss to the Ravens back in 2010-11.
The last time the Chiefs and Ravens played…
The Chiefs beat the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship on January 28, 2024. It was much more of a defensive game than expected, with only one score coming in the second half — a Ravens field goal. The game-defining play was one that prevented a Baltimore touchdown: Former Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (who is now with the Tennessee Titans) forced a Zay Flowers fumble on the one-yard line just as Flowers attempted to reach across the goal line.
The best Chiefs-Ravens game ever was…
The 2023-24 AFC Championship Game was without a doubt the best game between these two teams, though there have been other notable close matchups. The one that comes to mind was from September 19, 2021, when the Ravens beat the Chiefs 36-35 partially due to a late-game fumble by Edwards-Helaire.
Chiefs-Ravens prediction, picks
Those who know me know I rarely pick against the Chiefs, though I did pick against them in the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore. I won’t make that mistake again…
Will the Chiefs beat the Ravens?
Kansas City will beat Baltimore, and this one won’t be quite as close as their last matchup. We all know how good the Ravens are, but their offensive line lacks continuity and their defense lacks an intimidating edge rush. Plus, Jackson has typically not thrown well against Steve Spagnuolo-led defenses. The Chiefs seem to be built for a better start than Baltimore.
Will the Chiefs cover the spread?
The Chiefs should cover, given that they’re only favored by around two to three points. A close game is possible, for sure, but give me the Chiefs by 10.
Wes’ pick: Chiefs 30, Ravens 20