Mike Tierney from SportsLine has shared his predictions for the upcoming 2024 NFL Kickoff Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5.
The Chiefs aim to become the first major franchise in American sports to secure three consecutive championships since the 2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers. This matchup is a rematch of last January’s AFC Championship Game, where Kansas City triumphed 17-10. The Ravens (13-4), who topped the AFC standings last season, held an 8-4 record against conference rivals in 2023. Meanwhile, the Chiefs (11-6) are also looking to clinch their ninth straight AFC West title, having recorded a 9-3 mark against AFC opponents.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs are favored by 3 points, with the over/under at 47 total points. Before placing any bets on the Chiefs vs. Ravens, it’s essential to consider Tierney’s analysis.
Tierney is an experienced sports journalist whose work has appeared in prominent publications like The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. With decades of NFL coverage, including reporting from seven Super Bowls, he boasts a record of 154-124-9 over the past two seasons, yielding a profit of $1,586 for $100 bettors. Notably, he has an impressive 48-20-2 record on his last 70 NFL picks involving the Ravens, resulting in a return of $2,582 for his followers.
Now, Tierney has focused on the Ravens vs. Chiefs matchup. For his full insights, visit SportsLine. Here are the current NFL odds and betting lines for the game:
– Spread: Chiefs -3
– Over/Under: 47 points
– Money Line: Chiefs -151, Ravens +127
Key Trends:
– Ravens: Covered the third-quarter spread in 14 of their last 19 games (+9.15 units)
– Chiefs: Achieved the first-half game total over in their last four home games (+4.00 units)
Why the Chiefs Might Cover
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP, has excelled in season openers, winning five of six. Last season, despite a setback against the Lions, he threw for 4,183 yards with a 67.2% completion rate, tallying 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. His postseason performance was even stronger, completing 69.8% of his passes for 1,051 yards and six touchdowns.
Isiah Pacheco leads the Chiefs’ rushing attack, finishing last season with 205 carries for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game, with 44 receptions for 244 yards.
Why the Ravens Might Cover
Baltimore’s defense is a significant asset, ranking fourth in the AFC last season. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who notched 13 sacks, leads the charge, while linebacker Roquan Smith recorded 158 tackles.
Making Your Ravens vs. Chiefs Picks
For the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game, Tierney is leaning towards the over. He also highlights a crucial X-factor that makes one side of the spread particularly appealing. For more details, visit SportsLine to discover which side to back in this exciting matchup.