The NFL is back.
The latest: For the second time in as many seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs are raising a championship banner on opening night. Their opponent? The Baltimore Ravens, who Kansas City bested in last year's AFC championship game. This should be a good one.
Check out the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds for their Week 1 on Sept. 5.
Ravens vs. Chiefs odds
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Ravens vs. Chiefs preview
No team in NFL history has ever pulled off a three-peat. Kansas City can change that.
The Chiefs looked human throughout last year's regular season but hit the gas pedal in the playoffs, winning a pair of road games in Buffalo and Baltimore before dispatching the San Francisco 49ers in the Big Game.
Patrick Mahomes made the most of an underwhelming receiving corps during that run. He completed 30-of-39 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown in the AFC championship game where the Chiefs ultimately beat the Ravens, 17-10.
Back at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City is favoured to win the rematch.
New additions of Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy should give the offensive a little more "oomph" while its strong defence remains mostly intact, sans L'Jarius Sneed.
But Baltimore won't be a pushover.
The Ravens were close to punching a Super Bowl ticket last year and have revenge on their mind. They have the reigning MVP and No. 1 scoring defence and added future Hall-of-Famer Derrick Henry to the backfield.
It might be the first game of the year but this will be a litmus test for both sides.
Betting notes
- Kansas City lost last year's season opener to the Detroit Lions, 21-20. The Chiefs went a surprising 5-4 at Arrowhead Stadium, which was its worst mark in the Mahomes era.
- Baltimore went 5-2 ATS and 6-1 SU on the road last season. Jackson averaged 234.1 passing yards per game in those contests with 10 TDs to three interceptions.
- The Ravens and Chiefs ranked first and second, respectively, in scoring defence. Unders went 14-7 in KC games and 10-8-1 in Baltimore games last season (playoffs included).
