First game of 2024 NFL season features rematch between two AFC powerhouses

Last season, Kansas City and Baltimore faced off in the AFC title game. The Chiefs pulled off a 17-10 road victory en route to their third Super Bowl title in five years.

From the league's perspective, having these teams square off in a prime-time matchup early in the season makes a lot of sense.
A rivalry between the AFC powerhouses could be brewing. 

Longtime NFL reporter James Palmer noted a pregame incident in the conference championship between Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce "lit a fire in [K.C.]." 

It also appears both teams are evenly matched. This offseason, Baltimore signed four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16M deal.

Kansas City, meanwhile, re-signed defensive tackle Chris Jones (five years, $158.75M) and signed wide receiver Marquise Brown (one year, $7M), a former first-round pick.

Per ESPN's Adam Teicher, the Chiefs are playing in the Thursday night opener for the third time in five seasons. They beat the Houston Texans in 2020 but lost to the Detroit Lions last season. 

The Ravens fell in their only Kickoff Game appearance in 2013 against the Denver Broncos.

The oddsmakers are giving the Chiefs a slight edge over the Ravens. As of Monday, FanDuel lists Kansas City as a 2.5-point favorite.