Chiefs Open Three-Peat Quest Against Ravens - Chiefs v Ravens Picks

The Kansas City Chiefs begin their journey for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title on Thursday Night Football when they open the 2024 NFL season against the Baltimore Ravens. The matchup takes place at Kansas City’s GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium at 8:20 PM ET. This is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, won by the Chiefs, 17-10. 

See below for our experts’ Ravens vs Chiefs predictions for this huge NFL contest.

Predictions

Baltimore Ravens +3 (-118)

Under 46.5 points (-112)

Derrick Henry over 64.5 rushing yards (-115)

Ravens vs Chiefs prediction: Ravens +3 (-118) at DraftKings Sportsbook

Two of last year’s best defenses take the field to open the season. The Ravens led the league in points allowed (16.5 ppg), sacks (60) and tied with the New York Giants for most takeaways with 31, while also finishing first in point differential (+203) and turnover margin (+12). 

The Ravens will surely be motivated by last season’s AFC title game loss at home to Kansas City. They are 7-1 in primetime in the last two years. And, despite the sour taste left in their mouths following that playoff loss, the Ravens did record an NFL-record 10 victories against teams with a winning record last season, including six victories over playoff-bound teams. 

The defending Super Bowl champion has lost the last two season openers. In fact, Kansas City lost this same game last year to the Detroit Lions, 21-20. We expect a similarly tight contest, with the Ravens covering the three-point spread. 

Ravens vs Chiefs pick: Under 46.5 points (-112) at DraftKings Sportsbook

The Chiefs’ defense was impressive last season as well, finishing second in the league in both points allowed (17.3) and yards allowed (289.8) per game. The two teams combined for just 27 points in last year’s AFC Championship game. Baltimore was sixth-best in yards allowed at 301.4 per game. 

Kansas City and its opponents totaled less than 46.5 points in three of its first four games last season as well, while Baltimore and its opponents played to the under in six of the team’s first seven games in 2023.

Expect a low-scoring game to start the 2024 NFL season, combining for under 46.5 points.  

Ravens vs Chiefs player prop pick: Derrick Henry Over 64.5 rushing yards (-115) at DraftKings Sportsbook

The Ravens were the league’s best rushing offense at 156.5 yards a game last year, and Baltimore then went out and added Derrick Henry, who rushed for more than 9,500 yards in eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He was available despite finishing second in the league with 1,167 yards last season, so expect a motivated Henry against the Chiefs.

Last season with Tennessee, Henry surpassed 64.5 rushing yards nine times. He’s averaged 111.8 yards a game in four previous matchups with the Chiefs. After abandoning its running game in last year’s AFC title matchup, look for the Ravens to pound the ball on the ground, and expect Henry to rush for more than 64.5 yards.