The Baltimore Ravens will have a chance to open the 2024 season with sweet revenge when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Kickoff game. The Ravens are scheduled to head to Kansas City on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Dreams of advancing to a third Super Bowl were crushed the last time the Ravens faced Kansas City. Everything seemed to be perfect heading into the game. The Ravens had secured the top seed in the AFC and Lamar Jackson put together yet another MVP season.
But things didn’t work out as Kansas City shocked the Ravens and left M&T Bank Stadium with a 17-10 win on their way to consecutive Super Bowl championships.
“When you get to the playoffs, you want to win, but sometimes the best team doesn’t always win,” Ravens receiver Zay Flowers said after the game.
Jackson’s arch nemesis, Patrick Mahomes was an efficient 30 for 39 with 241 passing yards and a touchdown.
Jackson now has only one win in five matchups against Mahomes over his career. That includes playoff clashes.
But Harbaugh wouldn’t want any other quarterback leading his team.
“In my opinion, there’s nobody better in this league, especially nobody better for the Baltimore Ravens and for this organization and for this city and just from a historical perspective. I’m excited about the future; I’m excited about taking this offense to the next level next year,” Harbaugh said.
The AFC Championship game was a close one, which sparked questions regarding the Ravens unwillingness to stick to their identity of running the ball. The Ravens only ran the football six times in the second half despite remaining no more than 10 points behind.
Offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, is unlikely to abandon the run this year with Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry in the backfield. The free-agent addition has been one of the most dominant rushers over the last five seasons.
Henry will make his Ravens debut in Kansas City to open the season. How much he influences the Ravens will be put to the test from the start.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has a stellar 12 – 4 in Week 1. Harbaugh’s teams have opened the season with a victory in seven of their last eight games including two consecutive wins dating back to 2022.
Baltimore can improve upon an already solid opening week record and set the tone for the AFC with a road win over the Chiefs.