Ravens vs. Chiefs prediction, odds, time, betting lines: Expert picks on 48-20 roll for 2024 NFL Kickoff Game
The AFC’s two best teams will resume their rivalry from a year ago when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, Sept. 5. Last season, Kansas City defeated top-seeded Baltimore 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game to win its second consecutive Super Bowl championship. The Chiefs (11-6), who have won three Super Bowls in the last five years, are gunning for a ninth consecutive AFC West title. The Ravens (13-4), who won the AFC North by two games over the Cleveland Browns, are 8-4 in conference play.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City is a 3-point favorite in the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 46.5. Before making any picks or predictions for Chiefs vs. Ravens, be sure to check out the opinion of SportsLine NFL expert Mike Tierney.
A veteran sports writer whose work appears periodically in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Tierney has covered the NFL for decades and reported from seven Super Bowls. Tierney is 154-124-9 in the NFL over the past two seasons, returning $1,586 to $100 players. In addition, he is 48-20-2 in his past 70 NFL picks in games involving the Baltimore Ravens, earning him a whopping $2,582. Anyone who has followed him has been way ahead of the game.
Now, Tierney has set his sights on Ravens vs. Chiefs. You can see his picks by visiting SportsLine. Here are the NFL odds and NFL betting lines on the spread, money line and over-under for Ravens vs. Chiefs:
- Ravens vs. Chiefs Spread: Chiefs -3
- Ravens vs. Chiefs Over/Under: 46.5 points
- Ravens vs. Chiefs Money Line: Chiefs -151, Ravens +127
- BAL: The Ravens have covered the third quarter spread in 14 of their last 19 games (+9.15 units)
- KC: The Chiefs have led the first-half game total (+4.00 units) in their last four home games.
- Ravens vs. Chiefs Picks: See at SportsLine
Why the Chiefs might cover
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP, posted the second-worst numbers of his career as a starter last season but had another stellar postseason to lead Kansas City to its third Super Bowl title in the last five years. He threw the ball for 4,183 yards, completing 67.2% of his passes for 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He was even better in the games that really mattered. In four playoff games, Mahomes completed 104 of 149 passes (69.8%) for 1,051 yards and six touchdowns for a 100.3 rating.
Running back Isiah Pacheco is leading the Kansas City rushing attack. In 14 games last season, he led the team with 205 carries for 935 yards (4.6 average) and seven touchdowns. He had six rushing games of 20 or more yards, including a season-long run of 48 yards. He also caught 44 passes for 244 yards (5.5 average) and two touchdowns. In the postseason, he was a workhorse, carrying 81 times for 313 yards (3.9 average) and three TDs. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Ravens Might Cover
Quarterback Lamar Jackson will try to build on his MVP season from a year ago. Jackson led Baltimore in both passing and rushing in the 16 games played. In the passing game, he completed 307 of 457 passes (67.2%) for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns. He threw just seven picks and had a passer rating of 102.7. In the ground attack, he carried 148 times for 821 yards (5.5 average) and five touchdowns, including four rushing plays. He converted 48 first downs.
Running back Gus Edwards is now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, so the Ravens are selecting former Tennessee Titans player Derrick Henry as their every-down running back. Henry has rushed for more than 9,500 yards in his nine-year career, including 1,167 yards on 280 carries (4.2 average) in 17 games last year for Tennessee. He also rushed for 12 touchdowns. In 119 career games, Henry has 90 touchdowns and has converted 467 first downs. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to choose Ravens vs. Chiefs
For the NFL Kickoff Game 2024, Tierney is leaning toward the over overall. He also says a key X-factor makes one side of the spread a must. Visit SportsLine to find out what it is.
Who wins Chiefs vs. Ravens, and what crucial X-factor makes one side a tougher bet? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Chiefs vs. Ravens spread you should pay attention to, learn it all from the expert who has returned more than $2,500 to $100 on players in the last 70 picks involving the Ravens, and more.
