Chiefs-Ravens NFL Week 1 Predictions by Arrowhead Pride

In Week 1, the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium. According to FanDuel Sports Betting, Kansas City is favored by 3 points.

Let’s see what the staff – and our readers – think about the duel.

Nate Christensen (@natech32)

Last season, the opening game set the tone for the rest of the Chiefs’ regular season — on both sides of the ball. The defense looked stellar against a great Lions offense, but drops, inconsistency at wide receivers and an inability to run the ball against the Lions made for a frustrating season. This year, I don’t think the Chiefs make the same mistake. I’m worried about Hollywood Brown not being in this game, but I think the Chiefs show a lot more urgency and sharpness against a team they may have to battle for a spot with later in the season.

Chiefs 24, Ravens 20

Season forecast: 14-3

It’s become fashionable in the pundit class to say that Baltimore’s offense became unstoppable when they signed Derrick Henry for Lamar Jackson. But modern statistics make it abundantly clear: In today’s NFL, passing is a much more efficient way to win. As Sean Connery’s Jim Malone might have put it in Brian DePalma’s All the President’s Men, running the ball is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. That doesn’t mean the Ravens won’t win a ton of games this season — they might even win Thursday night’s game in Kansas City — but there’s a reason they’re 1-4 against the Chiefs since 2018. His name is Patrick Mahomes.

Chiefs 27, Ravens 17

Season forecast: 13-4

This NFL season begins with a showdown of heavyweights. Expect the Ravens to come out strong and make a statement, but the Chiefs are just as motivated to assert their dominance and put pressure on the league. The Chiefs’ offense should be much more fluid than it was on opening night last year, which will be crucial in the fourth quarter. Kansas City will likely secure the win with a late field goal from Harrison Butker.

Chiefs 27, Ravens 24

Season forecast: 14-3

Thanks to the NFL for adding more spice to the Chiefs’ banner night than last year. No offense to the Lions, but the Ravens’ revenge factor will make this game a much more exciting way to open the NFL season. The Chiefs are on a mission to make history this year, and they won’t be able to do that by relying on defense as much as they did last season. Patrick Mahomes and the offense will have to carry the load again, but that may not be necessary in Week 1. The Ravens’ revamped offensive line is vulnerable, and Trent McDuffie is a perfect fit to limit Lamar Jackson’s best receiver, Zay Flowers. The Chiefs’ offense looks ready to explode, but the unit may have to ease into 2024 with a heavy workload for Isiah Pacheco and big, timely throws from Mahomes.

Chiefs 23, Ravens 17

Season forecast: 14-3

For a guy who has never had a day of leg training that he couldn’t miss, Derek Henry’s success is a crime against the sport. The guy is a battleship standing on toothpicks. Or to quote former Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark:

“He’s just a big guy… honestly, with his weight and size, he should run harder. I don’t see any difficulty tackling him… Honestly, to me, he’s not one of the best guys when it comes to breaking tackles. He’s just a big body…”

Lamar Jackson, on the other hand, is as much of a nuisance as ever – if you don’t corral him, he’ll get in over your head and you’ll wish you’d taken a sick day. But if you can control his legs and force him to beat you in the air, he’s just a good football player. I think the Chiefs score early and often and make Baltimore one-dimensional by doing enough at the end to maintain the lead.

Chiefs 31, Ravens 23

Season forecast: 15-2

Banner Night, which didn’t happen against the Detroit Lions last season, will work against the Ravens. Travis Kelce and Chris Jones will be especially motivated to put on a top performance after not taking the field that night. The Ravens are rightly considered to be expected Super Bowl contenders, but they probably would have preferred to visit Arrowhead Stadium later in the season. Their defense boasts a new playcaller. The Ravens’ expected starters at the two guard positions have only made one career start combined. Baltimore could win, but I expect the very enthusiastic crowd noise will hinder communication, and inexperience will lead to some crucial mistakes. The Chiefs’ offense will put on a show after being largely disappointing in 2023.

Chiefs 30, Ravens 20

Season forecast: 13-4

As long as this team is built around Patrick Mahomes, coached by Andy Reid and rebuilt by Brett Veach, I maintain that the opponent matters far less than the team’s execution. If the Chiefs play to their potential, they’ll win this game and pretty much every other. The Ravens present a unique challenge because of their physical style of football and their mobile quarterback. They were the best rushing team in football before adding Derrick Henry — so there’s no reason to think they won’t get some yards on Thursday night. Still, the revamped Chiefs offense could strike quickly with Xavier Worthy — and run the ball with Pacheco and his new running mates (Perine, Steele). I think the defense can force a turnover or two, and the offense will pay for it. I’ll be watching the contributions of the rookie and second-year players — this franchise seems to be getting better again this season.

Chiefs 31, Ravens 24

Season forecast: 13-4

I think this game will be a little more defensive than advertised, and there are two reasons for that. First, Kansas City has almost all of its defensive linemen back (except L’Jarius Sneed), and I like the combination of the defensive line against Derrick Henry, Trent McDuffie against Zay Flowers, and the fantastic safety unit against Mark Andrews. Second, with off-contract field stretcher Hollywood Brown out and head coach Andy Reid liking to break in rookies (like Xavier Worthy) slowly, I think the Chiefs offense will be more like last year’s offense – operating in the middle of the field – than the coming weeks when they’re at full strength. Patrick Mahomes will still come into his own, though, and outplay the Ravens, who can’t get much out of Henry. Chiefs 24, Ravens 20

Season forecast: 14-3