Kicking off the 2024 NFL season with a battle between two top teams in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens are set to square off with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. In a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game, this upcoming tilt will surely be an absolute banger.
Bet on Ravens vs. Chiefs
BAL +2.5
KC -2.5
While Patrick Mahomes and company have long dominated Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in head-to-head competition, the Flock has made major upgrades this offseason and appears more dangerous than ever.
Even with these moves made in the offseason, the defending Super Bowl champs are still projected to take the win in this upcoming clash as 2.5-point favourites. With the Chiefs holding the home-field advantage out of Arrowhead Stadium, they will need to ride the momentum of their home crowd atmosphere to beat a tough Ravens team.
Their last two matchups have been decided by a single score, meaning this season opener could go down to the wire.
Ravens vs. Chiefs Odds
| Ravens Moneyline Odds | +125 |
| Chiefs Moneyline Odds | -150 |
| Spread odds | Chiefs -2.5 (-125), Ravens +2.5 (+100) |
| Over/Under | 46.5 points (over -105, under -115) |
| Time/Date | Sep. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN/DAZN |
All odds courtesy of BetVictor Canada
About the Ravens (23/24: 13-4 SU, 11-6 ATS, 8-9 O/U)
After failing to best the Chiefs in the 2023-24 AFC Championship game last season, the Ravens are more motivated than ever to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy.
With reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson looking to continue his elite play, he is now joined in the backfield by one of the scariest runners in NFL history, Derrick Henry. Henry will fit seamlessly into the Ravens run-heavy offence after wooing him away from the Tennessee Titans in the offseason.
Poised to once again finish as one of the best teams in the league this season, keep a close eye on the Ravens throughout their upcoming campaign, as they could be a weekly moneymaker in your NFL bet slip.
About the Chiefs (23/24: 11-6 SU, 9-7-1 ATS, 5-12 O/U)
Primed to reign supreme in the AFC West, the Chiefs have been the undisputed juggernauts in the NFL in recent years. On the hunt to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls, the Chiefs hope to make history in 2024.
Sporting a revamped receiving core, Patrick Mahomes will have plenty of fun new toys to utilize this season as he continues to cement himself as one of the best players to ever step foot on the gridiron.
Due to this combination of recent success and noticeable improvements to their roster, the Chiefs will likely receive plenty of love from oddsmakers this season. This was the case in the 2023 season, which resulted in the Chiefs being a brutal team to bet on when it came to wagering on them to cover the spread or hit the Over.
After a rocky betting season in 2024, the Chiefs are hopeful for a bounce-back year as they look to become a more reliable betting option for players this season.
Betting Mismatch
As mentioned above, the Ravens love to run the football down their opponent’s throats. One of the last true smashmouth offences, the Ravens thrive at controlling possession, draining the clock, and stringing together a healthy dosage of safe and effective gains.
As the newly formed duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry look to put the league on notice early this season, the Over on either player’s rushing yards is a great bet to make. In their respective careers, they have both had plenty of success rushing the ball against the Chiefs, with Jackson averaging 71.4 yards per game, while Henry averaged 112 yards a game as a member of the Titans.
Hammer the Over on the backfield tandem of Jackson and Henry against the Chiefs as they look to command the pace of play throughout their season-opening tilt.
Derrick Henry Over 63.5 Rushing Yards
-110
Key Injuries
The Ravens enter their season opener with little to no injuries to key players. The biggest notable absence will be running back Keaton Mitchell, a versatile backup for the Ravens in 2023.
On the other side of this matchup, however, the Chiefs will be without a few key contributors. One of the biggest impact players set to miss out on the opening game of the 2024 season is newly acquired wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. The speedster is currently listed as doubtful due to a shoulder injury and is likely going to be sidelined in Week 1.
Another notable missing talent for the Chiefs will be running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was placed on the team IR/PUP list with a reported knee injury.
Weather
The weather forecast in Kansas City, Missouri for Thursday night appears to be partly cloudy, with low winds. Bettors shouldn’t have to worry about the weather making an impact on their bets or the outcome of the game.
Betting Trends
- Since 2018, the Chiefs have won four out of their last five games straight-up against the Ravens.
- In 2023, the Chiefs were tied for the highest Under-percentage in the NFL at 70.6%. They also ranked with an average of 6.8 points below the expected point total, the lowest point total plus-minus rating in the league.
- The Ravens had a 2-1 record SU as an underdog in the 2023 season.
- 4 of the last 5 Ravens VS Chiefs matchups have resulted in Over 46.5 total points
Player Prop Trends
- Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 300+ passing yards in four of his five career starts against the Ravens.
- Travis Kelce has recorded Over 57.5 receiving yards in five consecutive games played against the Ravens, with an average of 95.6 yards per game.
- Mark Andrews has finished with under 49.5 receiving yards in four of his five games played against the Chiefs, averaging just 18.8 total yards per contest.
Wagers to consider
- In what’s sure to be a closely contested matchup, bank on the Ravens to remain competitive throughout the contest. After a strong showing as an underdog in 2023 (albeit at a small sample size), the Ravens moneyline is a great bet for anyone looking to start their NFL betting season with a juicy payday.
- Both teams may sport solid defences, but the Over is too good of a look to ignore in this contest. Each team has upgraded offensively and has a history of putting on high-scoring barnburners against one another. Take the Over at 46.5 points on Thursday Night Football and watch your bankroll rise alongside the scoreboard in this season opener.
