The NFL announced on Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the reigning Super Bowl champions, will start the regular season at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5. This game will be a rematch of the AFC title game.
The NFL will reveal the entire schedule for the 2024 season on Wednesday night on the NFL Network. In January, the Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC championship game, then went on to win the Super Bowl in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers, with a score of 25-22.
The season opener between the Chiefs and Ravens will be aired on NBC as a Thursday night game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs are currently favored to win by three points, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs aim to achieve an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title and their fourth in six years. Mahomes holds a 4-1 record against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in his career.
This marks the second consecutive year that Kansas City will start the season at home, boasting a 9-2 record in openers under coach Andy Reid. However, they suffered a close loss to Detroit, with a score of 21-20, in their 2023 opener.
Alongside Mahomes, the Chiefs have retained star tight end Travis Kelce, who recently agreed to a $34.5 million, two-year contract extension, and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who signed a five-year, $158.75 million deal in March.
Guided by Jackson, who has won MVP twice, Baltimore boasted the best record in the NFL last season and secured the top seed for the AFC playoffs. The Ravens defeated the Houston Texans 34-10 in the divisional round but faced challenges due to undisciplined play and interceptions by Jackson in their game against the Chiefs.
When the teams face off in the season opener, the Ravens will present a different lineup. Derrick Henry, who was the second-highest rusher in the league for Tennessee last season, joined the Ravens in March, providing the team with a powerful running back to complement Jackson’s agility. In the AFC title game, Ravens running backs only had six carries.
The Ravens have emerged victorious in seven of their last eight Week 1 games.
