For the second year in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs will open the NFL season with a pre-game nod to the previous year's Super Bowl title. Banner night is Thursday evening; the Chiefs are hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium -- with kickoff set for 7:20 PM local time.
This game has so much more juice compared to the 2023 opener. Of course, defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce will actually be playing -- but the biggest factor is the matchup. As opposed to a less-familiar NFC team in the Detroit Lions, the Ravens will bring a playoff intensity to a Kansas City crowd prepared to match it.
Baltimore will be fueled by revenge from last season's 17-10 home loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Both defenses made life hard on the opposing offense; quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce overcame it for the necessary plays, but the Ravens are hungry to get a second crack at it.
That's where we'll start with five things to watch in the Chiefs' matchup with the Ravens:
During media availability on Sunday, Ravens' linebacker Roquan Smith talked through the unit's strategy against the Chiefs' offense.
It may sound backward, but Smith refers to the importance of getting the Chiefs in obvious drop-back situations like third and long. In the AFC Championship, Kansas City was 1 of 8 on third downs needing 6 yards or more leading into the game-sealing completion to former wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. On shorter third downs, the Chiefs moved the chains six of eight times.
The onus is on the Chiefs' early-down play calling to be aggressive, keeping Baltimore on their heels. They have a stronger core of pass catchers to do that this year, and the payoff can be running back Isiah Pacheco, who has more room to make big plays himself.
In January, the lead back mustered only 2.9 yards per touch (rushes and receptions); the return of left guard Joe Thuney could help spring Pacheco on a handoff or screen play. Left tackle Kingsley Suamataia could also be an underrated upgrade here. The rookie will be most comfortable firing off on run plays and being used out in space.
It's all about limiting opportunities for the dynamic Baltimore pass rush, headlined by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. Avoiding obvious pass downs also protects the 21-year-old starter on Mahomes' blind side.
The physicality that Baltimore brings on offense is a staple under head coach John Harbaugh. That's why All-Pro running back Derrick Henry was not a very surprising signing. The 30-year-old back, listed at 6 feet 2 inches tall and nearly 250 pounds, will be featured in a unit that led the NFL in rushing yards during the 2023 season.
The Chiefs' defense held Baltimore to a season-low 81 rushing yards in the AFC Title game, but the Ravens only had 16 attempts. The run-game commitment could be stronger in this matchup, and the addition of Henry puts a lot more responsibility on the Chiefs' linebackers to step up.
Linebackers Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, and Leo Chenal are all going to share the field often to match the Ravens' heavier personnel, and they have to play balanced: it's important to stop Henry in gaps before he gets a head of steam, but they also have to account for a fake handoff. Jackson can take advantage of a false step with his feet or arm.
The last time these teams played, Travis Kelce truly had an all-time performance. He caught all 11 passes thrown his way, totaling 116 yards and a score; that stat line is impressive without accounting for how incredible his highlights were.
Baltimore's coverage focused more on the legendary tight end as the game went on, and that can be expected even more on Thursday. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton will naturally shadow Kelce as a strong safety and will be flanked by athletic linebackers like All-Pro Roquan Smith.
Without wide receiver Hollywood Brown, the Ravens may still heavily prioritize Kelce -- forcing rookie receiver Xavier Worthy to prove he's a legitimate threat before adjusting coverage.
Mahomes should give Worthy that chance. Baltimore will offer up plenty of one-deep safety looks with Hamilton up on Kelce, plus necessary attention on wide receiver Rashee Rice. Worthy -- and wide receiver Justin Watson -- should have space to operate deep with eyes on Mahomes' favorite targets.
The first coverage challenge without former Chiefs' cornerback L'Jarius Sneed will be pretty straightforward. The Ravens' top wide receiver is a blooming star in 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers. His electric route running can be matched by Chiefs' cornerback Trent McDuffie, who may move around the defensive formation to account for that.
That could result in a mix of third-year cornerbacks -- Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, and Nazeeh Johnson -- being relied on to cover the Ravens' auxiliary options in three-receiver sets: wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor.
Of course, Jackson likes to target tight end Mark Andrews in key situations. Safety Justin Reid will toughen him up at times, but the Chiefs will get creative with ways to take him away.
When the Chiefs force an obvious pass down, Chris Jones may have his pick of spots to overwhelm in the Baltimore offensive line.
The Ravens' right tackle spot will either be manned by rookie Roger Rosengarten or sixth-year swing lineman Patrick Mekari; Baltimore traded last year's starter Morgan Moses this offseason.
Jones could stay inside and wreck the interior as well. The Ravens turned over both guard positions since last season, and the duo has one career start between them. Aside from Jones, the versatility of the Chiefs' pass rush could mess with an overturned offensive line.