The 2024 NFL Season is finally here. Tonight, after months of waiting, we get a game that matters as the Baltimore Ravens travel to meet the Kansas City Chiefs. Below I’ll preview the game and offer my full Week 1 Picks!

The NFL Kickoff game has been a staple since 2002 and, more often than not, it’s featured the Super Bowl champion starting its title defense. And, said defending champions, have done quite well. In fact, the defending champions are 13-5 in the Kickoff game.

That record was 13-3 before 2022. Over the past two seasons, the defending champion has lost each game. In 2022, it was the Buffalo Bills pounding the Los Angeles Rams 31-10. Last year, it was the Chiefs hosting the Lions. The game was close, but the Lions pulled out the 21-20 victory to make it two straight losses for defending champions.

That brings us to tonight’s game, which is a re-match of the AFC Championship Game from last season. The Chiefs won and went on to defeat the 49ers in the Super Bowl. But the Ravens were actually the AFC’s top seed and boasted the best record in the NFL. Now, both teams come into this game having made some big changes.

For the Ravens, the biggest change was the addition of Derrick Henry to anchor the Ravens’ backfield. In the passing game, it’s still Zay Flowers, now in his second season, leading the receivers and veteran tight end Mark Andrews serving as the top pass catching weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

For the Chiefs, an investment was made in the pass catching weapons as the team added free agent Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy to the receiver group. The team also still has tight end Travis Kelce and last year’s rookie receiver standout Rashee Rice. With Brown ailing and out for Week 1, the Chiefs also welcomed back Juju Smith-Schuster.

For fantasy, there are plenty of good plays in this game. Both Jackson and Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes are worth starting. I’m also starting both running backs—Henry for the Ravens and Isaih Pacheco for the Chiefs—and both tight ends, Andrews and Kelce. Among receivers, Flowers is a WR3 for me. For the Chiefs, I think Worthy will be a good addition but I’m not rushing to put him in a lineup. I am bullish on Rice, who I think could have low-end WR2 appeal.

While the Chiefs lost this game last year, I think they’ll fare better Thursday night. I’m picking the Chiefs to get the win. Now, on to the rest of the week’s picks!

Week 1 Picks:

Chiefs Over Ravens
Eagles Over Packers
Falcons Over Steelers
Bills Over Falcons
Bears Over Titans
Bengals Over Patriots
Texans Over Colts
Dolphins Over Jaguars
Saints Over Panthers
Giants Over Vikings
Chargers Over Raiders
Broncos Over Seahawks
Cowboys Over Browns
Buccaneers Over Commanders
Lions Over Rams
49ers Over Jets

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.