Chiefs vs. Ravens NFL Kick Off Preview and Free Pick

The regular NFL season is here, it finally arrived, and we are all eager to see in which shape teams arrive after an interesting preseason.

Now, we are focusing on the first game, which will be taking place in the usual Thursday Night Football format. It’ll be kicking things off for this exciting season and featuring the defending champions as hosts.

This clash between the Chiefs and the Ravens will be as exciting as a season opener as it could be, featuring two of the best teams in the league last season.

Now, we are about to see how both teams arrive, considering they had mixed preseasons and the defending champions failed to win a game in August.

Chiefs vs. Ravens Betting Odds and Info

Bet on the Ravens vs Chiefs at the Gambyl Sports Betting Exchange now.

Why Bet on the Chiefs?

The Kansas City Chiefs traded L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans, while Willie Gay left as a free agent. Other departures, such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Nick Allegretti, aren’t too impactful, especially when the team has added real talent in Hollywood Brown (doubtful) in free agency and wideout Xavier Worthy in this year’s draft. 

Looking back at head-to-head records can be dangerous, but, since Patrick Mahomes became the starter in Kansas City, he’s lost to the Ravens only once in five meetings, with the Chiefs covering the spread in all five of those contests. 

Why Bet on the Ravens?

This isn’t the same Baltimore Ravens team we saw in last year’s AFC title game, with the team losing several key players to free agency.

The loss of lead touchdown scorer Gus Edwards isn’t hugely impactful, but saying goodbye to Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney— who was dominant on the edge — will hurt what was an exceptional defense last season. The loss of Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson also means a new-look offensive line for Lamar Jackson.

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Final Betting Analysis: Chiefs vs. Ravens

Looking at the start of the season, we have to point out that the Chiefs tend to start well in recent seasons, with wins in eight of their last nine openers. However, their first opening loss came,precisely, the previous campaign.

The team ended last season hot, and there’s no reason to think Andy Reid won’t have his team ready to continue that form on Thursday.

Baltimore’s offense should be even tougher to stop in 2024 now that Henry is in the fold, and there are a few questions about this Kansas City secondary now that Sneed is no longer with the franchise. 

Still, we have a hard time fading the Chiefs at home – despite their 5-4 record straight up and against the spread there last season. Kansas City is still loaded with offensive talent, and having a healthy Kelce in Week 1 should go a long way for this offense.

We are clear on our pick for a home-team victory here.

Go for a victory for the Chiefs at 1.687. If you bet $100 at such odds, you could get $68.7 for a total payout of $168.7.

Chiefs vs. Ravens Betting Pick: Kansas City Chiefs