It's official: We know the first game of the 2024 NFL season. And it's a doozy.
The Chiefs will host the Ravens on Sept. 5 in a rematch of the 2023 AFC championship game. The game will air on NBC and feature the defending Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes against the defending NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson. This game has huge AFC implications and should be an incredible way to kick off the new season.
The most recent time these two teams played each other at the end of January, the Chiefs used a suffocating defense to thwart Jackson and the Ravens in a 17-10 win. Mahomes threw for 241 yards, Travis Kelce caught 11 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown and Isiah Pacheco rushed for 68 yards and a score. More important, though, the Chiefs held Jackson to just one first-quarter touchdown and intercepted one pass.
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This game should be just as exciting. While neither team made tremendous alterations to their respective teams, there are a few changes that could affect where this game — and the season — goes for either side.
Here are five storylines to watch for when the Chiefs host the Ravens on Sept. 5
Chiefs vs. Ravens storylines to watch in 2024 NFL season-opener
MVP vs. MVP
Mahomes and Jackson have faced each other before, but Mahomes has the 4-1 edge including 1-0 in the postseason. However, they're both coming off award-winning seasons with fiery hopes and desires to repeat or advance in 2024. The Chiefs want the third consecutive Super Bowl and NFL history, while the Ravens want to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2013. How each quarterback plays against their respective defensive opponents will be the main subject of the game.
Marquise Brown's revenge game
The Ravens drafted Brown with the No. 25 pick in the 2019 draft. He played three years in Baltimore before the team traded him and a third-round pick to the Cardinals in 2022. Now, he's with the Chiefs. Brown played his old team once in 2023, where he caught six receptions for 33 yards and a score, but there will be a different level of anticipation when he trots out onto the field with one of the best quarterbacks of all time. It's safe to say Brown will want to remind the Ravens of what they gave up.
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Xavier Worthy's debut
Worthy's first NFL game will be another major thread of this match. The Chiefs traded up to draft the speedy wide receiver, and there will be questions about how his game translates to the NFL and if he can become the Chiefs' new version of Tyreek Hill. His integration into the offense will be telling given he could start the season as Mahomes' fourth receiving option behind Kelce, Brown and Rashee Rice (unless Rice is suspended). How Worthy begins his career won't define it, but it'll be closely watched by every in the league.
L'Jarius Sneed's absence
The Chiefs traded Sneed to the Titans this offseason in perhaps the biggest loss they've endured since they sent Hill to the Dolphins. He was the key cog in their secondary and was a major part of their championship defense. Kansas City didn't outright replace him and instead appeared content to promote one of the backups — either Joshua Williams and Jaylen Warren — to play alongside Trent McDuffie. The new-look secondary will square off against Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews, two pass-catchers who can wreak havoc on opposing defenses.
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How will the new starting left tackle play?
One of the biggest questions of the offseason is which tackle will start on the left side for the Chiefs. Unless Donovan Smith returns, it looks like Wanya Morris or second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia. That question will be answered before Week 1, but that doesn't mean we'll know if head coach Andy Reid picked the right starter. Neither are experienced and will see a lot of Roquan Smith and/or Justin Madubuike on the Ravens' defensive line in their first NFL start.