The Beatdown staff mostly project the Baltimore Ravens to begin 0-1 this season at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Welcome to Baltimore Beatdown’s game predictions, sponsored by FanDuel Sportsbook. The first prediction is a doozy, with three of four Beatdown contributors expecting a Ravens loss.
There’s definitely a world where a fiercely motivated Ravens club come in and put the hurt on the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately, I don’t see it tonight. I think the crowd, the celebration and pageantry of Thursday’s game will inevitably work in the Chiefs’ favor. The wizardry of Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid outduels Ravens Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr and they get chunk plays leading to touchdowns. Meanwhile, offensively, the Ravens are hamstrung by the offensive line and the Chiefs are loading the box and prioritizing keeping Henry from gaining any velocity to beat them on the ground. And with each Ravens field goal, the Chiefs answer with a touchdown as they win, 34-20. — Kyle Phoenix
John Harbaugh has a sterling record in season openers and the Ravens boast the most talented secondary in the NFL. However, the Chiefs offensive line could allow Patrick Mahomes enough time to make the precision throws that won the AFCCG. On the other side of the ball, Rashod Bateman will have an advantageous matchup against the Chiefs CB2 but Derrick Henry could have trouble finding rushing lanes behind Baltimore’s inexperienced offensive line. Ultimately, defeating Andy Reid and the two-time defending champs on the road in Week 1 is too tall a task for a Ravens team that suffered meaningful attrition this offseason. Chiefs 24, Ravens 20 — Vasilis Lericos
After watching the two-time defending champions unveil their third Super Bowl banner in the last five years, the highly-motivated Ravens will begin what they hope will be their journey to a title with a vindicating and hard-fought win on the road to open the 2024 season. Veteran newcomer Derrick Henry will finish with over 20 carries, 100-plus rushing yards and a touchdown while reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson will outduel Patrick Mahomes with a more efficient passing outing even if he finishes with fewer yards. In his first time calling plays in a regular season game, Ravens first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s unit will hold Kansas City to under 20 points in a 31-17 statement win. — Joshua Reed
The Ravens will certainly be out for revenge in this AFC Championship rematch in Kansas City. While the Ravens should come out with a different game plan than the one they used in the playoffs, it probably won’t be enough. The Ravens have undergone a lot of change this offseason and it might take a few games for the offensive line and team as a whole to find its groove. Kansas City on the other hand, returns with a largely unchanged roster plus first round speed demon Xavier Worthy. The key for Baltimore will be feeding Derrick Henry and their star tight ends early, getting a lead, and holding it. If Baltimore falls behind, expect a similar result as the AFCCG. Chiefs 27, Ravens 23. — Stephen Bopst