The Kansas City Chiefs will unfurl another Super Bowl championship banner when they host the Baltimore Ravens in the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, Sept. 5.
These two teams last met in the AFC Championship Game, where Kansas City’s defense made the game-changing plays by forcing three turnovers in a 17-10 victory at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
This matchup between reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson will be must-see TV, so let’s dig into the Ravens vs Chiefs odds and make some best bets for the season opener.
Ravens vs Chiefs Odds
NFL odds are current as of Thursday, Sept. 5, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Ravens (+124) vs Chiefs (-148)
- Spread: Ravens +3 (-115) vs Chiefs -3 (-105)
- Over/Under: Over 47 (-112) / Under 47 (-108)
Ravens vs Chiefs Prediction
Chiefs 27, Ravens 23
The Chiefs lost the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game to the Lions, so there’s no guarantee that Kansas City will win at home. However, I’m concerned about how effective the Ravens will be early in the campaign after enduring many significant offseason changes.
Baltimore will have a new-look offensive line after three starters swapped teams this offseason, and GM Eric DeCosta didn’t do much to help Lamar Jackson besides bringing in aging RB Derrick Henry.
On defense, Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney, and Geno Stone have moved on, as has standout coordinator Mike Macdonald, now head coach of the Seahawks.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs have retained most of their core and all of their coordinators, giving them the platform to kick on again this season.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Ravens vs Chiefs Best Bets
Over 47 Points (-112)
Each of the four regular-season meetings between Jackson and Mahomes has featured at least 50 points, so I’m inclined to take the Over.
The Chiefs’ offense should be more explosive this season after drafting speedster Xavier Worthy and signing former Ravens WR Hollywood Brown, who will miss the opener with a shoulder injury. Their defense also may be slightly less formidable without shutdown corner L’Jarius Sneed.
Both teams should be able to score 20-plus points, making the Over one of my best football bets today.
Chiefs -2.5 (-121)
Fading Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as underdogs is usually a bad idea, but I’m going to lay the points with the defending Super Bowl champs at home.
This number has been vacillating between 2.5 and three, so if you’re backing KC, take the slightly more juiced alternate line to avoid a push if the Chiefs win by a field goal.
