The Kansas City Chiefs will kick off the 2024 season on Thursday night with a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Here are five things to keep in mind heading into game day.
1. Here's a look at the final injury report for both teams.
The Chiefs are relatively healthy heading into Thursday night as wide receiver Hollywood Brown (shoulder) is the only player who has already been ruled out of the contest. The same is true for the Ravens, who only listed one player – rookie edge rusher Adisa Isaac – as "Out" for Thursday's game.
For Kansas City, offensive guard Joe Thuney (pectoral), linebacker Nick Bolton (elbow), safety Justin Reid (quad), defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin), cornerback Joshua Williams (hamstring), cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (hamstring), offensive lineman Wanya Morris (knee) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps) – who all missed time in recent weeks – appear ready to go.
2. This will be a clash between the league's top two defenses from a year ago.
The Ravens (16.5 points allowed-per-game) and Chiefs (17.3 points allowed-per-game) accounted for the two best scoring defenses in the NFL last season. Baltimore (60 sacks) and Kansas City (57 sacks) also topped the league charts in sacks.
Both defenses were consistently dominant, too. In fact, Kansas City held opponents under 28 total points in all 21 of its games last year (including the playoffs), setting an NFL record in the process. Baltimore was consistent as well, holding opponents under 28 total points in all but two games.
All that being said, both teams look a little bit different this year defensively. The Ravens lost their defensive coordinator, Mike MacDonald, to the Seattle Seahawks' head coaching vacancy following the season. Baltimore also lost edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney (who posted 9.5 sacks last year) and linebacker Patrick Queen (who led the Ravens in defensive snaps last season) to free agency. The Ravens still feature several impact players on defense, however, including their top sack artist from a year ago, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, and second-year safety Kyle Hamilton.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, no longer employ cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, but the young core that helped make Kansas City's defense so successful last season remains intact. So, while both defenses lost significant contributors during the offseason, it's all to say that Kansas City and Baltimore should each field top units once again in 2024.
3. Veteran running back Derrick Henry will make his Ravens debut on Thursday.
The Ravens, who led the NFL in rushing last season at 156.5 yards-per-game, significantly bolstered their already impressive running game with veteran tailback Derrick Henry during the offseason. Henry replaces departed running backs Gus Edwards (who rushed for 810 yards last year) and former second-round pick J.K. Dobbins, who both signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.
Henry, who is likely headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, is 30 years old, but he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. He racked up 2,705 yards and 25 touchdowns over his final two seasons in Tennessee, leading the NFL in carries both years. Henry, who checks in 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, has also remained at his best after first contact. His 930 rushing yards after contact last season led the NFL, marking the fourth time in the last five years that he's topped the league in that category.
The Ravens' running game is about more than just their backfield, too, as quarterback Lamar Jackson led all signal callers in rushing yards last season with 821. Jackson is electric as a ball-carrier, and whether it's a designed run or a scramble on a broken play, the Chiefs will need to limit his production on the ground.
Fortunately, the Chiefs' defense excelled at containing the Ravens' rushing attack during the AFC Championship Game last year, as Kansas City held Baltimore to a season-low 81 yards on just 16 carries. A similar effort on Thursday would go a long way toward a Chiefs' victory.
4. The Chiefs will have an opportunity to show off their revamped passing game.
Kansas City ranked 28th in the NFL last season in terms of "air yards," or passing yards that took place on the throw itself. It's worth noting that the Chiefs led the league in yards-after-the-catch, but considering that Kansas City ranked fifth in total "air yards" as recently as 2022, there was a clear mandate throughout the offseason to reincorporate the deep passing game into the Chiefs' offense for the 2024 season.
One player who could help make that goal a reality on Thursday is rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, whose 4.21 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine marked the fastest recorded time in the history of the event. He showed off his blazing speed during the Chiefs' preseason matchup against Detroit, too, with a 39-yard reception early in the game and a 22-yard touchdown a bit later.
Additionally, the threat of Worthy's speed could open things up for wide receiver Rashee Rice, tight end Travis Kelce and others on shallow routes over the middle of the field. Either way, Worthy's skillset – coupled with Rice's growth as he enters his second year in the NFL – could significantly open things up for the Chiefs' passing game when compared to last season.
5. Baltimore has some new faces along its offensive line.
The Ravens moved on from three starters along their offensive line last season in left guard John Simpson, right guard Kevin Zeitler and right tackle Morgan Moses. The exact combination set to replace those three players remains known to only the Ravens' coaching staff, but regardless, Baltimore will field three relatively inexperienced players up front on Thursday night.
That reality will make the Ravens' blocking scheme something to watch throughout the game as the Chiefs' defensive line aims to slow down a Baltimore offense that finished last season as the league's No. 4 scoring unit.
It all makes for what should be a thrilling night to open the 2024 NFL season, and as the Chiefs embark on what could be a historic campaign, they'll aim to kick things off with a victory over one of the top contenders in the AFC.
