2024 NFL Kickoff Game prediction, odds, line, time, spread: Chiefs vs. Ravens picks from expert on 32-21 run

The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will square off against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, September 5. Ravens vs. Chiefs is the start of the jam-packed slate to begin the season. Both teams have explosive offenses that were on fully display a year ago. In fact, Baltimore ranked sixth in the league in total offense at 370.4 yards per game. Meanwhile, Kansas City was ninth with 351.3 yards per game. 

Kickoff from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Kansas City is a 3-point favorite in the latest Ravens vs. Chiefs odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 46.5. Before locking in any Ravens vs. Chiefs picks, make sure to check out the NFL predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein.

A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. He tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Hartstein’s weekly Vegas contest selections form the basis of his NFL best bets column, which is 79-48-2 (62.2%, +25.95 units) since its inception in 2022. He’s also 33-21 (+955) on his last 54 ATS NFL picks involving the Chiefs.  Anyone who has followed him is way up.

Now, Hartstein has locked in on Chiefs vs. Ravens and just revealed his coveted NFL picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and NFL betting lines on the spread, money line, and over-under for Ravens vs. Chiefs:

• Chiefs vs. Ravens spread: Chiefs -3
• Chiefs vs. Ravens over/under: 46.5 points
• Chiefs vs. Ravens money line: Chiefs -153, Ravens +129
• BAL: Ravens have won five consecutive road games
• KC: Chiefs have won the last two home meetings with Baltimore
• Chiefs vs. Ravens picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Chiefs can cover

The Chiefs wanted to add more speed to stretch the field more in 2024, and they did exactly that in the NFL Draft. In the first round, Kansas City added wide receiver Xavier Worthy. He turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a 4.21 40-yard dash. Regardless, Worthy runs a strong route tree and can create separation. In three seasons at the University of Texas, he logged 197 catches for 2,755 receiving yards, and 26 touchdowns.

Receiver Justin Watson is another playmaker that Kansas City has at their disposal. Watson uses his strong hands to bring down the football and tracks the ball well. In 2023, he recorded 27 catches for a career-high 460 yards and three touchdowns. Watson tallied five games with at least 50 yards last season. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the Ravens can cover

Receiver Zay Flowers made a significant impact as a rookie last year. Flowers is a shifty playmaker who has strong acceleration and can make defenders miss in the open field. The Boston College product provides the Ravens with a smooth deep threat. In 2023, the 23-year-old ranked first on the team in receptions (77) and receiving yards (858) with five touchdowns. In the loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, Flowers had five catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.

The Ravens are also getting tight end Mark Andrews back from injury, which is a boost for the offense. Andrews is a natural pass-catcher who is able to attack from all three levels on the field with soft hands. The Oklahoma product has reeled in 381 receptions for 4,857 receiving yards, and 40 touchdowns in six seasons in Baltimore. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Chiefs vs. Ravens picks

Hartstein is leaning Over the total. He’s also found a critical x-factor he says makes side of the spread hit hard. Find out what it is at SportsLine. 

So who wins Ravens vs. Chiefs in the NFL Kickoff Game 2024, and what critical x-factor makes one side hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Ravens vs. Chiefs spread to back, all from the expert who is 33-21 on Kansas City spread picks, and find out.