The NFL season officially begins Thursday night with reigning MVP and two-time MVP winner QB Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on the road taking on the two-time defending Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, also a two-time MVP.
The game kicks off Thursday night at 8:20 p.m. ET and will air on NBC.
It will be the first of 16 games this week that you will be able to bet on.
Below are my picks for the game, with odds coming from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Ravens at Chiefs picks, best bets
Moneyline
- Ravens +125 (Bet $100 to win $125)
- Chiefs -150 (Bet $150 to win $100)
The Chiefs lost their season opener at home last year to a hungry Detroit Lions team that went deep into the playoffs. However, Mahomes are the Chiefs are 5-1 in season openers.
The Ravens have more uncertainty after losing 15 players in free agency and their defensive coordinator, who is now head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
BET CHIEFS (-150).
Spread
- Ravens +3 (-115)
- Chiefs -3 (-105)
A three-point spread isn’t much. Ten of the Chiefs’ 11 wins in the regular season last year were by at least 3 points.
BET CHIEFS -3 (-105).
Total
- Over 47 (-110)
- Under 47 (-110)
Their matchup in the AFC title game last season had only 27 total points. But while both teams had great defenses, they also had great offenses.
BET UNDER 47 (-110)
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Ravens 20
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
