Ravens vs. Chiefs Predictions, Picks & Odds: Thursday Night Football, 9/5

NFL fans have often been disappointed with Thursday Night Football matchups since its inception, and truthfully, it’s largely been justified. However, the season opener of the 2024-25 season does not fall into that category.
Our TNF matchup to kick off the season is an AFC Championship Game rematch from just last season with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens. With it being the beginning of the biggest sports season of the year, we know that plenty of fans will be looking for not only the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds, but also Ravens vs. Chiefs picks.
Therefore, we’ve shared our experts’ best Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions and much more for you in this article!
Ravens vs. Chiefs Predictions For Thursday Night Football, NFL Opening Game
When it comes to making Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions for Week 1, it’s difficult not to look back at last year’s AFC Championship Game. It was one of the final matchups of the season, and one of the best games we could have asked for.
However, these teams are certainly different in some regards as well, and that’s something we’re going to have to consider for each of the matchups in this opening weekend. Although there are new names on the rosters, there are also plenty of the same, including two QBs that have recently won MVP awards.
Along with those staples are new weapons for them to utilize. For the Ravens, it’s former Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry, and for the Chiefs, it’s first-round draft pick WR Xavier Worthy out of Texas. So, our Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions expect those aspects of the game to be emphasized.
Speaking of which, before we get into the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds, those new additions play a role in the storylines for each team.
Baltimore Ravens: Repeating The Rampant Rushing Attack
The Ravens already had the best rushing attack in the NFL last season, averaging a whopping 156.5 yards per game. For perspective, the next-closest team was still over 15 yards per game behind them.
That was after another season-ending surgery to RB J.K. Dobbins, so while he went cross-country to the Los Angeles Chargers, adding Henry should provide Ravens fans with plenty of confidence. If Baltimore can put up those types of rushing numbers with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, then a former 2,000-yard rusher certainly can as well.
Admittedly, it may not have been Henry’s best season last year. But he still eclipsed over 1,100 rushing yards and rushed for 115 yards and two scores the last time he faced the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs: Cleaning Up The Clumsy Catchers
While the Ravens should be focused on the running game, what about the Kansas City side of our Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions? Much was made regarding their poor WR play last year, and rightfully so.
They led the entire NFL in drops last season, which is why they made it a point to address the WR room both in free agency and in the NFL Draft. With their first-round pick, they took the aforementioned Worthy, and they also signed Hollywood Brown, who was once a Raven.
Brown has injured his shoulder, but the hype for Worthy is high, as he set a record for the fastest official 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. After all, we’ve also seen QB Patrick Mahomes do more with less.
Ravens vs. Chiefs Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
As promised, we have the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds at FanDuel Sportsbook for you below focusing on the standard markets:
- Point Spread: Baltimore Ravens +3 (-120) vs. Kansas City Chiefs -3 (-102)
- Money Line: Baltimore Ravens (+128) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-152)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 46.5 (-115) vs. Under 46.5 (-105)
Having these available to you will help you lock in any Ravens vs. Chiefs picks, whether you utilize our Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions or otherwise.
Ravens vs. Chiefs Game Total: Under 46.5 Total Points (-105 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Speaking of our Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions, what about an actual best bet? Week 1 of the NFL season is arguably the most volatile of them all, but that certainly doesn’t mean that there isn’t value to be had.
With it being the very first game of the season, we’re expecting a bit of a sluggish start. We know that both teams roster superstars but being in midseason shape is still a whole different beast. Let’s also not forget that those new offensive weapons will need time to get acclimated to their new teams.
It also doesn’t hurt that we saw these teams take the field against one another in one of the most recent meaningful NFL games, and just 27 points were scored. In fact, that was a theme for the Chiefs all season - they had the second-best record for unders in the entire NFL.
Mahomes and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson may be as flashy as it gets, but at the end of the day, these are two franchises that have been defensively-focused for the past few seasons in KC’s case and for their entire history for Baltimore. Therefore, the best bet from our Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions is under 46.5 points (-105 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Ravens vs. Chiefs Injury Report & Latest News
As important as it is to have Ravens vs. Chiefs predictions and the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds, it’s just as important to have the latest injury report for both teams:
BAL Ravens:
- RB Keaton Mitchell (Out)
- TE Mark Andrews (Questionable)
- S Kyle Hamilton (Questionable)
- CB Trayvon Mullen (Questionable)
- C Tyler Linderbaum (Questionable)
KC Chiefs:
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Out)
- WR Hollywood Brown (Doubtful)
- DT Chris Jones (Questionable)
- T Jawaan Taylor (Questionable)
- CB Josh Williams (Questionable)
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Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.