Ravens @ Chiefs -3 : You couldnt ask for a better to start the season. The Ravens went 7-1 on the road last year while the Chiefs were an unimpressive 5-4 at home, but they are also 5-1 in their last 6 meetings against the Ravens going back to 2015. Mahomes is faced off against Jackson in 5 of those 6 meetings. Here is a QB Comparison :
Mahomes Jackson
2018 BAL 24 @ KC 27 35/53 2td 1 int 357 yards 3 sacks 13/24 147 2-0 2 sacks
2019 BAL 22 @ KC 33 27/37 374 3-0 1 sack 22/43 267 0-0 3 sacks
2020 KC 34 @ BAL 20 31/42 385 4-0 0 sack 15/28 97 1-0 4 sacks
2021 KC 35 @ BAL 36 24/31 343 3-1 0 18/26 239 1-0 2 sack
2024 KC 17 @ BAL 10 30/39 241 1-0 2 20/37 242 1-1 4 sacks
Lamar Jackson was tied or leading rusher for the Ravens in all of those games except for 1 and he was the leading rusher for either team in 2 or the last 3. The Chiefs were flat last year until it counted. Their defense kept them alive long enough for another Mahomes playoff miracle run. KC was an average team against the run allowing the 16th most rushing yards. Derrick Henry showed he still has lots left in the tank finishing 2nd in rushing in the entire NFL last year. Andy Reid will have a nightmare gameplanning against the dual rushing threat of Henry and Jackson. The Chiefs will have no choice but to stack the box against the run for virtually every play. Will the Ravens get cute again and try to outpass Mahomes like their last meeting or will they stick to their league leading rushing attack in 2023 ? This game will be exciting. History shows that the Chiefs get to Jackson an average of 3 times per game, and the Ravens revamped O-line should not be expected to instantly improve. Jackson throws for an average of 1 TD per game against the chiefs while Mahomes boasts a 2.25 TD average when facing the Ravens. The Chiefs have imrorved at WR since last year while the Ravens have drastically improved the best rushing team adding the 2nd best rusher from 2023. As much as I want to pick the Ravens I just cannot based on their meetings. The addition of Derrick Henry may just allow the Ravens to keep Jackson safer behind a shaky offensive line. If it comes to a passing battle, Mahomes is going to win 9 times out of 10.
Kansas City 30 - Baltimore - 24
Actual score 27-20
Mahomes Jackson
2018 BAL 24 @ KC 27 35/53 2td 1 int 357 yards 3 sacks 13/24 147 2-0 2 sacks
2019 BAL 22 @ KC 33 27/37 374 3-0 1 sack 22/43 267 0-0 3 sacks
2020 KC 34 @ BAL 20 31/42 385 4-0 0 sack 15/28 97 1-0 4 sacks
2021 KC 35 @ BAL 36 24/31 343 3-1 0 18/26 239 1-0 2 sack
2024 KC 17 @ BAL 10 30/39 241 1-0 2 20/37 242 1-1 4 sacks
Lamar Jackson was tied or leading rusher for the Ravens in all of those games except for 1 and he was the leading rusher for either team in 2 or the last 3. The Chiefs were flat last year until it counted. Their defense kept them alive long enough for another Mahomes playoff miracle run. KC was an average team against the run allowing the 16th most rushing yards. Derrick Henry showed he still has lots left in the tank finishing 2nd in rushing in the entire NFL last year. Andy Reid will have a nightmare gameplanning against the dual rushing threat of Henry and Jackson. The Chiefs will have no choice but to stack the box against the run for virtually every play. Will the Ravens get cute again and try to outpass Mahomes like their last meeting or will they stick to their league leading rushing attack in 2023 ? This game will be exciting. History shows that the Chiefs get to Jackson an average of 3 times per game, and the Ravens revamped O-line should not be expected to instantly improve. Jackson throws for an average of 1 TD per game against the chiefs while Mahomes boasts a 2.25 TD average when facing the Ravens. The Chiefs have imrorved at WR since last year while the Ravens have drastically improved the best rushing team adding the 2nd best rusher from 2023. As much as I want to pick the Ravens I just cannot based on their meetings. The addition of Derrick Henry may just allow the Ravens to keep Jackson safer behind a shaky offensive line. If it comes to a passing battle, Mahomes is going to win 9 times out of 10.
Kansas City 30 - Baltimore - 24
Actual score 27-20
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