Ranking position groups ahead of tonight's Ravens vs. Chiefs Week 1 matchup
By Matt Sidney
As the NFL season kicks off Week 1 with the Baltimore Ravens facing the Kansas City Chiefs, the spotlight is on the key players who will dictate tonight’s game. This breakdown explores each position group, assessing which team might come out on top based on their on-field assets. From quarterbacks to special teams, every aspect could tip the scales. Are you ready for some football?
Quarterbacks
- Ravens: Lamar Jackson
- Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
Two elite quarterbacks square off against one another in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Fans couldn't ask for a better matchup. Patrick Mahomes is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, while Lamar Jackson is the reigning regular-season MVP. Both have two MVP awards to their name, however, one has three Super Bowl rings and four Super Bowl appearances while the other has never made it past the AFC Championship game.
Jackson and Mahomes play different styles of football. Jackson is the most dynamic and electric player to ever play the position, while Mahomes might be the most skilled and creative passer. Picking between the two is close to splitting hairs, but until someone (Lamar Jackson, maybe) overthrows Mahomes, he's in the top spot and advantage here goes to the Chiefs.
Advantage: Chiefs
Running backs
- Ravens: Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali
- Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco, Samaje Perine, Carson Steele
This comparison will be quick. Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are a better duo than Isiah Pacheco and Samaje Perine. Pacheco runs like he's angry at the ground, but effort will only take him so far. Henry is the back to watch tonight. He'll need to have a big impact if the Ravens want a shot at winning.
Advantage: Ravens
Wide receivers
- Ravens: Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Tylan Wallace
- Chiefs: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, JuJu Smith-Schuster
Week 1 will feature two second-year wide receivers looking to build off successful rookie seasons. Pushing the legal trouble aside, Rice had the better season last year, so he comes in ahead of Flowers. That's not to say Flowers won't catch him and surpass him, he has the talent, but for right now it's time to prove it.
The Ravens lack any semblance of reliable receiver depth behind Flowers. Bateman hasn't been impactful throughout his career and Agholor is a good WR3 and nothing more. The Chiefs have rookie speedster Worthy ready to be unlocked tonight and with Watson and Smith-Schuster behind him, they have a more well-rounded unit.
Advantage: Chiefs
Tight ends
- Ravens: Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely
- Chiefs: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray
Travis Kelce is one of the greatest tight ends of all time. If he only tried a little harder on the blocking aspect, he'd be the unquestioned best. Kelce is a unit and always difficult to stop. Gray is a reliable backup who knows his role and won't try to take on too much. It's a strong tight end room.
Unfortunately, the Ravens have a stronger tight end room, possibly the strongest in the NFL. Andrews is an elite receiving tight end and Likely might be as well if he were to get the first-team reps. This dynamic duo is going to be a handful to deal with this season and it should start tonight, Week 1.
Advantage: Ravens
Offensive line
- Ravens: Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, David Faalele, Patrick Mekari
- Chiefs: Kingsley Suamataia, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor
Too many question marks surround the Ravens' offensive line for them to contend with the Chiefs' unit. Stanley must show he is healthy and can play at a high level again. Outside of Linderbaum, the rest of the starting line is shaky and unproven - not a great recipe for success.
The Chiefs have rookie LT Suamataia starting, which could be interesting if the Ravens' pass rush wants to see if he's a liability. Thuney, Humphrey, and Smith are all very reliable veterans. Taylor is a good RT as well, however, that dude gets away with jumping before the snap way too often and it needs to be mentioned here so everyone can see it happen tonight!
Advantage: Chiefs
Defensive line
- Ravens: Nnamdi Madabuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones
- Chiefs: George Karlaftis, Derrick Nnadi, Chris Jones, Mike Danna
Ultimately this decision came down to Chris Jones vs. Nnamdi Madubuike. Jones is winning that matchup for the time being. Madubuike took huge strides last season as a pass-rusher, leading the team with 13 sacks. Travis Jones has had a great camp and could be a big difference-maker, but that's a "maybe."
Karlaftis is the other Chief lineman the Ravens will have their hands full with. He just seems to get better and better every year. Don't be surprised if he accrues double-digit sacks again this season and comes away with some personal hardware.
Advantage: Chiefs
Linebackers
- Ravens: Odafe Oweh, Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Kyle Van Noy
- Chiefs: Drue Tranquill, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal
The Ravens boast otherworldly linebacker Roquan Smith and his inclusion could certainly be enough to warrant the advantage. However, Oweh looks primed for a breakout season this year. So does Simpson. Van Noy casually racked up nine sacks last season and is a savvy vet.
The Chiefs are led by Bolton, an undersized fourth-year linebacker who will look to silence the Ravens' running game. It's a very solid group but unfortunately pales in comparison to the Ravens.
Advantage: Ravens
Defensive backs
- Ravens: Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams
- Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Justin Reid, Bryan Cook
The defensive backfields will be filled with star power tonight. The Chiefs have All-Pro corner McDuffie who'll look to shut down Flowers and Bateman. Reid is a good-not-great safety who is a good pass defender and run stopper.
The Ravens feature two of the game's best DBs in Humphrey and Hamilton. Marcus Williams and Brandon Stephens round out a secondary that could be considered the best in the NFL depending on how the season goes.
Advantage: Ravens
Special teams
- Ravens: Justin Tucker, Jordan Stout
- Chiefs: Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza
When he isn't making a butt(ker) out of himself, Harrison Butker is one the best kickers in the NFL. He's got a strong leg and is very accurate. However, being one of the best does not mean he is the best. That spot is reserved for Justin Tucker. Tucker is the best kicker in the league and he has been for some time.
As for the punters, not much is known about Matt Araiza the punter. Jordan Stout has been a solid punter the past two years in Baltimore.
Advantage: Ravens
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