If the Baltimore Ravens played in the NFC, they could be the favorites to win the conference and face off against Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. As the last few years have shown, Baltimore and Kansas City are the two best teams in the AFC, and perhaps the entire NFL.
While Lamar Jackson has equaled Mahomes' MVP totals with two, Kansas City's legendary passer can always flash his four AFC Championships and three Super Bowl rings in Jackson's face. The quest to dethrone him begins now.
The Ravens will begin their season against Mahomes and the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, as Jackson will be the first obstacle in Kansas City's quest to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row. Baltimore, meanwhile, wants to win their first of the Lamar Jackson era.
Whenever the two top dogs in the AFC duke it out, it will make for compelling television. After the Lions upset Kansas City in Week 1 last season en route to an NFC Championship Game run, Baltimore will try to pull off more of the same heroics when they lock horns with the Chiefs.
Lamar vs. Mahomes to kick off the 2024 season. 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/IY8EaV0M6V
— NFL (@NFL) May 13, 2024
Ravens opening season vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football
The Ravens' defense did everything they could to limit Mahomes and the Kansas City offense, but an inability to run the football and some ill-timed turnovers from Jackson and Zay Flowers ultimately helped Mahomes and the Chiefs prance to the Super Bowl once again.
While the Ravens did lose many of their starters from last year during free agency, a strong draft class and rebuilt offensive line could help Baltimore inspire the same degree of fear in Kansas City that they have in the past. The Chiefs rule the roost, but the Ravens aren't far behind.
Jackson's performance will likely be the deciding factor in this game. Jackson is 1-3 in his regular season career against the Chiefs, and his passer rating against them is his lowest for any opponent he has made multiple starts against. Only the Steelers have been more difficult for Lamar than this.
The Ravens have a brutal schedule in which they will play 10 different teams who made the playoffs last season. Playing the Chiefs on the road will be their biggest challenge, as it will ask Jackson, new signing Derrick Henry, and the new starters on defense to be at the very top of their game.