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Chiefs vs. Ravens prediction, odds, line, time, spread: 2024 NFL Kickoff Game picks by model on 181-129 run
By CBS Sports Staff,
3 days ago
USATSI
Teams looking to get off to a fast start will meet when the Baltimore Ravens battle the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, Sept. 5. The Chiefs (11-6), who defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to win their third Super Bowl in five years last February, will try to win their ninth AFC West Division crown in a row. The Ravens (13-4), who were the top seed in the conference a year ago, are looking to reach the postseason for the third consecutive time. The Chiefs beat the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game this past January in Baltimore.
Kickoff from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Kansas City is a 3-point favorite in the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 46.5. Before locking in any Lions vs. Chiefs picks, make sure to check out the NFL predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model .
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 181-129 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 35-21 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Second-year veteran wide receiver Rashee Rice will try to build on a solid rookie season that saw him lead Kansas City receivers with 79 catches for 938 yards (11.9 average) and seven touchdowns. Only tight end Travis Kelce had more receptions with 93. Rice registered 10 explosive plays in 2023, including a long of 67 yards. He also converted 44 first downs and had 654 yards after catch.
Another young player looking to contribute is third-year running back Isiah Pacheco. In 14 games played in 2023, Pacheco carried 205 times for 935 yards (4.6 average) and seven touchdowns. He had six explosive plays of 20 yards or more, including a long of 48 yards. He also caught 44 passes for 244 yards (5.5 average) and two touchdowns. See who to back at SportsLine .
Why the Ravens can cover
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is a dual-threat to opposing defenses. He led Baltimore in passing last season, completing 307 of 457 passes for 3,678 yards (229.9 average per game), and in rushing, with 148 carries for 821 yards (5.5 average) and five touchdowns. In six prior seasons, Jackson has thrown for 15,887 yards and 125 touchdowns with just 45 picks, while rushing 875 times for 5,258 yards and 29 TDs. He had a stellar performance in a 38-6 win over the Detroit Lions on Oct. 22, passing for 357 yards and three touchdowns on 21 of 27 passing (77.8%).
Another weapon for the Ravens is seven-year veteran tight end Mark Andrews. In 10 games last season, he caught 45 passes for 544 yards (12.1 average) and six touchdowns. In 87 career games, he has 381 receptions for 4,857 yards (12.7 average) and 40 touchdowns. In a 37-3 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 5 last year, he hauled in a season-high nine passes for 80 yards. See who to back at SportsLine .
How to make Chiefs vs. Ravens picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over the total, projecting the teams to combine for 47 points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in well over 50% of simulations. Head to SportsLine to see its NFL picks .
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