The 2024 NFL regular season will kick off on Thursday, September 5, when the reigning Superbowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs are fresh off their 2024 Superbowl victory, in which quarterback Patrick Mahomes captured his third Lombardi Trophy and his third Superbowl MVP, tying him with Joe Montana. The 28-year-old quarterback threw for his sixth consecutive 4,000+ passing yard season and 27 touchdowns during the 2023 NFL regular season.
As Mahomes and the Chiefs prepare to host Baltimore, the looming thought of a possible three-peat is on the mind of every NFL fan. A win over Baltimore to start the season would serve as a huge catalyst for Kansas City, providing them not only with an AFC victory but also with a win over a powerhouse Ravens team.
Athletic writer Hannah Vanbiber states that Baltimore poses the biggest challenge to the Chiefs’ path to the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/1FVSsuohUO
— 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) August 29, 2024
The most notable pickup in the Raven's offseason was the signing of former Tennesee Titans running back Derrick Henry, who joined Baltimore in March 2024. In 2023, Henry led the league in carries with 280, resulting in a second-best 1,167 rushing yards for 12 touchdowns. The dynamic power running back will join the Ravens’ dual threat former NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Jackson contributed to 29 total touchdowns in 2023, 24 coming through the air and five resulting from Jackson’s quick feet on the ground. While there have been doubts throughout Jackson’s career regarding the talent in his arm, the 7th-year quarterback threw for 3,679 yards through the air in 2023, along with 821 yards rushing to contribute 4,000+ total yards of offense for the explosive Baltimore offense.
However, when facing the three-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Jackson has struggled to succeed against his AFC foe. Mahomes leads the regular season victory count with a record of 3-1 and the 2024 AFC Championship game, where Mahomes captured his first postseason victory over Jackson and the Ravens. Baltimore and Lamar Jackson only have one recorded victory over Kansas City in the Patrick Mahomes' Era.
When the two AFC rivals face off in Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, September 5, all eyes will be on these two powerhouse organizations. Mahomes and the Chiefs begin their chase to a three-peat, and Jackson and the Ravens look to show off their new weapon in Derrick Henry and steal a win away from Kansas City at home.
