The 2024 NFL season kicks off Thursday night when the Baltimore Ravens travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.

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Thursday night’s game is a replay of last year’s AFC Championship Game, in which the Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 to secure Super Bowl status and ultimate victory.

The Chiefs enter the game as three-point favorites, but recent history could work in the Ravens’ favor in this game.

That being said, the staff of Newsweek Sports has made its predictions for the first game of the 2024 season, and surprisingly it is a unanimous decision.

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Ravens vs Chiefs Week 1 Predictions for the 2024 NFL Season

Matt Levine: As Kansas City puts the finishing touches on their Super Bowl win from last season, Baltimore spoils the fun. The Ravens have been looking forward to this game all offseason, finally getting revenge on the Chiefs for last year’s AFC Championship Game. For the second season in a row, Kansas City starts the year with a loss.

Prediction: Ravens 30, Chiefs 24

Ricardo Sandoval: The NFL is finally back, and Thursday night’s game is a showdown between two of the league’s perennial contenders. While the Chiefs will begin their quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl title — something that’s never happened before — I’m going to go with a little surprise and think the Ravens will come out on top.

Prediction: Ravens 23, Chiefs 20

Alex Kirschenbaum: The Chiefs are poised to win big in 2024 as they look to become the first NFL team since the Green Bay Packers to win three straight championships (and the first team ever to win three in a row in the Super Bowl era). But Baltimore has the reigning MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson, and it will look to bring its A-game on opening night against the presumptive Super Bowl favorites.

The Ravens lost a number of solid players this offseason, perhaps most notably linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to the Carolina Panthers and running back JK Dobbins to the Los Angeles Chargers. But Baltimore will look to rally the troops, and Jackson will no doubt be hoping that a revamped offensive line will buy him even more time to cook in the pocket.

Prediction: Ravens 31, Chiefs 24

John Robinson IV: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will look to spoil the Chiefs as they hold their 2023-24 Super Bowl banner aloft. Baltimore will control the ball behind the rushing attack of Jackson and Derrick Henry. The Chiefs are missing a receiver in Hollywood Brown, and Patrick Mahomes will look to a young stable of receivers to thrive against a stout Ravens defense. This Week 1 matchup is more favorable for the Ravens as they look to make a run at the Super Bowl this season.

Prediction: Ravens 28, Chiefs 14

Noah Camras: The last two Super Bowl champions (including the Chiefs) have lost their home openers. What’s more, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is dominant when he’s an underdog. In 14 games as a betting underdog in his career, Jackson is 12-1-1 against the spread and 10-4 straight up. While the Chiefs are getting their Super Bowl rings, the Ravens are starting their 2024 season on a positive note.

Prediction: Ravens 27, Chiefs 23