This AFC showdown features key battles between specific players, units, and coaches.
The Baltimore Ravens will open the regular season on the road in Week 1 where they will have to watch the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs unveil their third banner in the last five years at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night. The Ravens are small underdogs to come out on top in this primetime matchup between two AFC perennial powerhouses.
This game could have massive playoff implications much later down the road as both teams will be vying for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason come November and December.
However, games aren’t won on paper or decided by betting odds. There are some pivotal matchups between individual players, units, and coaches that will go a long way in determining the outcome of this contest.
Below are a handful of those key battles that could prove to be deciding factors in Week 1.
Zach Orr v. Andy Reid
The most pivotal of all matchups in this game begins and ends with the two minds who will be matching wits when the Ravens’ defense and the Chiefs’ offense are on the field. On one sideline will stand a first-year play-caller in Orr who will be calling his very first regular season game as the new maestro of what was the top-ranked defense last season. Across the field on the other will be one of the most brilliant and innovative offensive minds the game has ever seen in Reid who will be coaching his 446th including postseason contests.
Some may see this as a mismatch in heavy favor of the reigning champs. However, Orr could make a name for himself and begin to step out of Mike Macdonald’s shadow by calling a game that stuns Reid and three-time Super Bowl and two-time league MVP-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes for four quarters and not just the final two as was the case in AFC title game. While the Ravens lost some key pieces from last year’s top-ranked defensive unit, they kept a lot and added even more so the former player turned play-caller will be well-equipped with the personnel to wreak some havoc and hopefully spoil the Chiefs’ celebration.
Todd Monken v. Steve Spagnuolo
The battle of wits between these two seasoned play-callers should be just as fun to watch as they both are praised for their ability to find ways to put their respective players in the best roles and situations to succeed. For Monken, it’s getting his playmakers the ball in space with plenty of room to work with and a chance to build up momentum to not just absorb but deliver contact when needed. Seeing how he finds a way to get both top tight ends, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, on the field at the same time will be vital for this year’s offense to new highest in 2024.
As for Spagnuolo, he is known for devising unique ways to dial up pressure, blow up the run game and disrupt the general flow of opposing offenses. Seeing which one can do the best against the other will be huge in shaping the path forward for the winner or victor because a rematch very well come later in the playoffs.
DB Kyle Hamilton v. TE Travis Kelce
The last time these two All Pros went up against each other, it took a perfect throw from Mahomes to score get the better of Hamilton for a touchdown and the first points of the game. Although Kelce’s final box score told the story of a monster 11-of-11 for 116-receiving yard game, not all of those snaps and completions came against the Ravens’ star safety who could be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation in his third season. Hamilton will be itching to get some long-awaited payback although he downplayed this specific matchup.
“It’s the same with anybody, it’s just being patient [and] trusting your game,” Hamilton said Sunday. “[It’s] nothing really crazy, but I’m excited to play against everybody on that team. I think our defense, as a whole, is prepared and excited to go into Arrowhead [Stadium] and have a good game.”
Kelce remains Mahomes’ most trusted and reliable weapon in the passing so neutralizing or even just limiting his impact could swing the odds of winning in the Ravens’ favor. Hamilton is more than up to the task and will get a chance to prove it on a national stage Thursday night.
CB Nate Wiggins v. WR Xavier Worthy
The two fastest players from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine could find themselves lined up across from each other on multiple occasions in their respective regular season debuts come Thursday. While Worthy broke the Combine record with a 4.21 in the 40-yard dash, Wiggins wasn’t that much off with a mark of 4.28 and showed both in college as well as a dominant preseason that he rarely lets receivers get behind or even multiple steps on him.
Even if they manage to somehow get past him in one-on-one coverage, his length, make-up speed, burst and physicality help him prevent completions and make plays on the ball either way more often than not. Reid will have to scheme up ways to prevent Worthy from getting pressed right off the line of scrimmage but Wiggins likely won’t let him breathe much either way.
Ravens offensive line v. Chiefs pass rush
While Baltimore rebuilt its trenches on offense with three new starters up front which could include up to two players making their regular season debuts and three first-time regular starters, Kansas City is running it back with the same four starting defensive linemen who combined for 28 sacks last season. Leading the charge for the Chiefs pass rush is five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones who Spagnuolo likes to move around to exploit potential mismatches even at times on the edge in certain situations or periods in the game when they need a momentum-swing play.
One side of the Ravens offensive line where the Chiefs might feel they have an advantage if they line up both Jones and third-year defensive end George Karlaftis is the right. That is where the converted offensive tackle Daniel Faalele is expected to be the starter at guard and second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten possibly at tackle if veteran utility lineman Patrick Mekari doesn’t get the start. While Jackson’s blindside remains on his left where a healthy former All Pro Ronnie Stanley will be holding down the fort, instantaneous or even consistent pressure could cause his faith in his protection to waiver later in the game even at times when it holds up well.
WR Zay Flowers v. CB Trent McDuffie
After trading away veteran L’Jarius Sneed who was their top option to shadow the opposing team’s best wide receiver, the Chiefs will likely turn to the 2023 First Team All Pro selection to follow Flowers wherever he lines up in this game. While Snead made a game-changing play at the goal line to prevent the Ravens’ 2023 first-rounder from scoring his second touchdown in the AFC title game, Flowers got the best of him more times than not in the AFC title game, catching 5-of-8 targets for a career-high 115 receiving yards and a 54-yard score on a broken play.
This battle between undersized playmakers will not only be fun to watch but could prove to be very pivotal in the outcome of this game. Flowers is poised to breakout this season and a standout performance against one of the league’s elite defensive backs would go a long way in building up his case as one of the better up-and-coming players at the position.