The first official game of the NFL season kicks off tonight at 8:20 PM in Kansas City, Missouri, ending the seven-month break following the Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl 59 champions and enter 2024-25 as the most likely team to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next February. Baltimore held that favored status before last season, but they finished one game short of their ultimate goal.
The Ravens lost 17-10 at home to Kansas City in the AFC Championship. NFL sportsbooks are favoring KC by almost a field goal at Arrowhead tonight.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Line
- Spread: Ravens +2.5, Chiefs -2.5
- Moneyline: Ravems +125, Chiefs -145
- Over/Under: 46.5
There’s no question that the winner of this Week 1 opening contest will leap to the front of the pack in the AFC. The Chiefs are already standing there until further notice.
KC is still at least two wins ahead of any other team in the AFC West. Jim Harbaugh’s hiring in Los Angeles has the potential to create a long-standing rivalry between the Chargers and Chiefs.
The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders are still trying to find a long-term answer at quarterback and are expected to take up the bottom two positions out west.
The AFC North is a different story, as all franchises, including BAL, are optimistic for better results this year.
With that in mind, Baltimore needs the win tonight from a pure numbers standpoint. Yes, it will improve their chance at a number-one seed, but it will also help them keep pace with a Cincinnati Bengals team that may poised for a Super Bowl run.
The Pittsburgh Steelers went 9-8 last season and have improved at the quarterback position, at least on paper. The Cleveland Browns are still a threat. Their defensive unit is the team’s strength, and their offense can only get better or bust at this point.
Who Will Win Tonight?
The point spread implies that the Chiefs will beat the Ravens at home, but the -2.5 margin is the generic edge that Vegas grants any home team in pro football. This indicates an even matchup, and like most NFL games, the winner will most likely be the one with the fewest turnovers.
NFL prop bets for Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes suggest they’ll each throw for at least one interception. Props for fumbles are not common due to the number of potential players that could stat for one.
The outlying component that was not a part of last year’s game is running back Derrick Henry. Coach John Harbaugh plans to use him early and often, and is excited about his addition to the team.
“It’s going to feel great to have @KingHenry_2 on our side. Looking forward to it.” pic.twitter.com/psCM0s4RRK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 3, 2024
Tune in tonight at 8:20 PM on NBC or Peacock for the opening kickoff.
Sources:
- NFL Betting Odds – Bovada (Bovada Review)
- Ravens Wire
