The 2024 NFL regular season begins with the annual Kickoff Game on Thursday hosted by the two-time defending champion Chiefs as they welcome the Ravens in an AFC Championship Game rematch.
The Chiefs opened as 3-point favourites to win on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Every year with an exception or two, the reigning NFL Super Bowl champion hosts the Kickoff Game on a Thursday night to start the new regular season, and the Kansas City Chiefs are very familiar with this games as two-time defending Super Bowl winners. No team has ever three-peated. Overall, the Chiefs are 2-1 in the Kickoff Game and were upset last year 21-20 in it at home by Detroit.
It will be the second time in the Kickoff Game for Baltimore as it was beaten in the 2013 opener in Denver as the reigning SB champion. The Ravens couldn’t host it then because of a scheduling conflict with MLB’s Orioles.
Thursday will mark the NFL’s first-ever Week 1 game featuring the past two league MVPs facing off as quarterbacks. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes won his second career MVP in 2022 and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson won his second last year. Mahomes is 4-1 in his career vs. Jackson, including last season’s AFC title game 17-10 upset victory in Baltimore.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore was the AFC’s top seed last season at 13-4 but upset at home by Kansas City in the AFC title game, the first time the Ravens had gotten that far since winning the Super Bowl following the 2012 season. They are my pick to win Super Bowl LIX in February in New Orleans. A very well-coached team by John Harbaugh with a superstar quarterback in Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL rushing champion at running back in Derrick Henry, terrific offensive line, a top-five defence and the league’s best kicker ever in Justin Tucker. What’s not to like?
Excellent coordinator Mike Macdonald left for Seattle, but Harbaugh simply promoted linebackers coach Zach Orr to the position. Baltimore tends to fare well in Week 1 under Harbaugh as he has a plus-222 point differential in season openers, the second-best by any NFL head coach in history. The primary injury concern for the Ravens is centre Tyler Linderbaum, but he did practice over the weekend without a non-contact jersey so that’s a good sign.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs played without their best offensive (Joe Thuney) and defensive lineman (Chris Jones) during the preseason due to injury but both are expected Thursday. However, starting receiver Marquise Brown, an offseason acquisition, is expected out. Backup running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out at least the first four games as he deals with a mental health issue.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a career passer rating of 125.6 in Week 1 games, the highest in NFL history (minimum five starts). He is 5-1 in his six season openers. Mahomes needs 84 passing yards to pass Hall of Famer Len Dawson (28,507) as the Chiefs’ all-time yardage leader. Mahomes would become the only active quarterback to hold his current team’s all-time passing yards mark. Defending Super Bowl champions are 14-5 in the Kickoff Game even with Kansas City’s loss in 2023. It is thought that Taylor Swift will be in attendance Thursday to watch boyfriend and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Ravens vs. Chiefs?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 May 1:43am | KC | -2.5 -115 | O +47.5 -110 |
| Closing 23 Aug 1:43am | KC | -3 -105 | O +46 -110 |
- Regular Season
Ravens Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
1 |
| Rushing |
122 |
| Passing |
273 |
| Receiving |
9 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
45 |
| Passing |
291 |
| Receiving |
7 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
Chiefs Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
1 |
| Rushing |
122 |
| Passing |
273 |
| Receiving |
9 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
45 |
| Passing |
291 |
| Receiving |
7 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
Weather
| temp | 67 |
| condition | sunny |
| wind | Northeast 8mph |
Injuries
Roquan Smith (LB)
Lamar Jackson (QB)
Christian Matthew (CB)
Arthur Maulet (CB)
Kyle Van Noy (LB)
Adisa Isaac (LB)
Keaton Mitchell (RB)
Rasheen Ali (RB)
Mark Andrews (TE)
Kyle Hamilton (S)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)
Nazeeh Johnson (S)
Truman Jones (DE)
Charles Omenihu (DE)
Hollywood Brown (WR)
Wanya Morris (OL)
Chris Jones (DT)
Jawaan Taylor (OT)
BJ Thompson (DE)
Joshua Williams (CB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roquan Smith (LB) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 11 / 09 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Smith is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Sunday's clash versus the Raiders. |
|||||
| Lamar Jackson (QB) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 10 / 09 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Jackson is tending to an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field on Sunday against the Raiders. |
|||||
| Christian Matthew (CB) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 07 / 09 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Matthew is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and the severity of the injury is unknown. |
|||||
| Arthur Maulet (CB) | Early Oct | Knee - 07 / 09 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Maulet is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he will miss at least the first four games of the season. |
|||||
| Kyle Van Noy (LB) | Ques Sun | Eye - 06 / 09 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Van Noy left the last game with a fractured orbital bone, and it is unknown if he will suit up against Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Adisa Isaac (LB) | Que Sun | Hamstring - 04 / 09 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Isaac is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Raiders on Sunday. |
|||||
| Keaton Mitchell (RB) | Early Nov | Knee - 28 / 08 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Keaton has been placed on the PUP list while he recovers from a knee injury, and he will miss at least the first nine games of the season. |
|||||
| Rasheen Ali (RB) | Late Oct | Concussion - 27 / 08 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Ali is out of commission due to a concussion, and he is expected to remain out of the lineup until the latter part of October. |
|||||
| Mark Andrews (TE) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 27 / 08 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Andrews is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it is undetermined if he will be available against the Chiefs on Thursday. |
|||||
| Kyle Hamilton (S) | Ques Thurs | Hip - 27 / 08 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Hamilton is dealing with a left hip injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Chiefs on September 5th. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB) | Early October | Illness - 27 / 08 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, and he will miss at least the first four games of the season. |
|||||
| Nazeeh Johnson (S) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 27 / 08 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Johnson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Bengals on Sunday. |
|||||
| Truman Jones (DE) | Ques Sept. 5 | Knee - 27 / 08 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Jones is nursing a knee injury, and he is questionable to suit up against the Ravens on September 5th. |
|||||
| Charles Omenihu (DE) | Early November | Knee - 27 / 08 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Omenihu has been placed on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, and he has hopes of returning to action in November. |
|||||
| Hollywood Brown (WR) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 26 / 08 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Brown is ailing with a shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if will play against the Bengals on Sunday. |
|||||
| Wanya Morris (OL) | Ques Sun | Knee - 26 / 08 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Morris has injured his knee, and it is undetermined if he will take the field against the Bengals on Sunday. |
|||||
| Chris Jones (DT) | Ques Thurs | Shoulder - 23 / 08 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Jones has sustained a shoulder injury, and his status against the Ravens on Thursday is in question. |
|||||
| Jawaan Taylor (OT) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 23 / 08 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Taylor is hampered by a shoulder injury, and it has yet to be determined if will play against the Bengals on Sunday. |
|||||
| BJ Thompson (DE) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 22 / 08 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Thompson has been placed on the NFI list while still recovering from an undisclosed injury, and will miss at least the first four games of the season. |
|||||
| Joshua Williams (CB) | Ques Thurs | Hamstring - 20 / 08 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Williams is managing a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will play versus the Ravens on Thursday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 May 1:43am KC -2.5 -115 O +47.5 -110 Closing 23 Aug 1:43am KC -3 -105 O +46 -110 -
- Regular Season
Ravens Team Leaders
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 122
Passing 273
Receiving 9
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 45
Passing 291
Receiving 7
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
Chiefs Team Leaders
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 122
Passing 273
Receiving 9
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 45
Passing 291
Receiving 7
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
Weather
temp 67 condition sunny wind Northeast 8mph -
Injuries
Roquan Smith (LB)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 11 / 09 / 24Lamar Jackson (QB)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 10 / 09 / 24Christian Matthew (CB)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 07 / 09 / 24Arthur Maulet (CB)
Early Oct Knee - 07 / 09 / 24Kyle Van Noy (LB)
Ques Sun Eye - 06 / 09 / 24Adisa Isaac (LB)
Que Sun Hamstring - 04 / 09 / 24Keaton Mitchell (RB)
Early Nov Knee - 28 / 08 / 24Rasheen Ali (RB)
Late Oct Concussion - 27 / 08 / 24Mark Andrews (TE)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 27 / 08 / 24Kyle Hamilton (S)
Ques Thurs Hip - 27 / 08 / 24Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB)
Early October Illness - 27 / 08 / 24Nazeeh Johnson (S)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 27 / 08 / 24Truman Jones (DE)
Ques Sept. 5 Knee - 27 / 08 / 24Charles Omenihu (DE)
Early November Knee - 27 / 08 / 24Hollywood Brown (WR)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 26 / 08 / 24Wanya Morris (OL)
Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 08 / 24Chris Jones (DT)
Ques Thurs Shoulder - 23 / 08 / 24Jawaan Taylor (OT)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 23 / 08 / 24BJ Thompson (DE)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 22 / 08 / 24Joshua Williams (CB)
Ques Thurs Hamstring - 20 / 08 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Roquan Smith (LB) Ques Sun Shoulder - 11 / 09 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Smith is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Sunday's clash versus the Raiders.
Lamar Jackson (QB) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 10 / 09 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Jackson is tending to an undisclosed injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field on Sunday against the Raiders.
Christian Matthew (CB) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 07 / 09 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Matthew is placed on the injured reserve list with an undisclosed injury, and the severity of the injury is unknown.
Arthur Maulet (CB) Early Oct Knee - 07 / 09 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Maulet is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Kyle Van Noy (LB) Ques Sun Eye - 06 / 09 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Van Noy left the last game with a fractured orbital bone, and it is unknown if he will suit up against Raiders on Sunday.
Adisa Isaac (LB) Que Sun Hamstring - 04 / 09 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Isaac is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against Raiders on Sunday.
Keaton Mitchell (RB) Early Nov Knee - 28 / 08 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Keaton has been placed on the PUP list while he recovers from a knee injury, and he will miss at least the first nine games of the season.
Rasheen Ali (RB) Late Oct Concussion - 27 / 08 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Ali is out of commission due to a concussion, and he is expected to remain out of the lineup until the latter part of October.
Mark Andrews (TE) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 27 / 08 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Andrews is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it is undetermined if he will be available against the Chiefs on Thursday.
Kyle Hamilton (S) Ques Thurs Hip - 27 / 08 / 24 0-1 1-2 + - Hamilton is dealing with a left hip injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Chiefs on September 5th.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB) Early October Illness - 27 / 08 / 24 1-2 0-1 + - Edwards-Helaire has been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, and he will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Nazeeh Johnson (S) Ques Sun Hamstring - 27 / 08 / 24 1-2 0-1 + - Johnson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Bengals on Sunday.
Truman Jones (DE) Ques Sept. 5 Knee - 27 / 08 / 24 1-2 0-1 + - Jones is nursing a knee injury, and he is questionable to suit up against the Ravens on September 5th.
Charles Omenihu (DE) Early November Knee - 27 / 08 / 24 1-2 0-1 + - Omenihu has been placed on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a torn ACL, and he has hopes of returning to action in November.
Hollywood Brown (WR) Ques Sun Shoulder - 26 / 08 / 24 1-2 0-1 + - Brown is ailing with a shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if will play against the Bengals on Sunday.
Wanya Morris (OL) Ques Sun Knee - 26 / 08 / 24 1-2 0-1 + - Morris has injured his knee, and it is undetermined if he will take the field against the Bengals on Sunday.
Chris Jones (DT) Ques Thurs Shoulder - 23 / 08 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Jones has sustained a shoulder injury, and his status against the Ravens on Thursday is in question.
Jawaan Taylor (OT) Ques Sun Shoulder - 23 / 08 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Taylor is hampered by a shoulder injury, and it has yet to be determined if will play against the Bengals on Sunday.
BJ Thompson (DE) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 22 / 08 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Thompson has been placed on the NFI list while still recovering from an undisclosed injury, and will miss at least the first four games of the season.
Joshua Williams (CB) Ques Thurs Hamstring - 20 / 08 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Williams is managing a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will play versus the Ravens on Thursday.